SC Freiburg: No songs about European competitions

Despite the grandiose European Cup chance, coach Christian Streich and fans of SC Freiburg are not going to be misled. “Never again 2nd division”, echoed from the ranks after the 3:0 (1:0) against Hertha BSC. The coach and his team never had anything to do with the relegation battle this season in the Bundesliga. Reaching the 40-point mark, which symbolizes relegation, did not tempt the SC fans to use the goals of the modestly appearing Freiburgers in their stadium chants. They did not sing songs about European competitions.

Streich does not want to change his ambitions, at least not officially. And he certainly doesn’t dream of the European Cup, said the 56-year-old after the win against the Berliners, who were threatened with relegation. His focus is on the next task. The quarter-finals in the DFB Cup are on Wednesday at VfL Bochum (8.45 p.m. / Sky and ARD). “It’s extraordinary for us that we’re still in this competition,” said Streich. “We were often eliminated in round one or, at the latest, in round two. That’s why we have this game as a big goal for now.”

Vincenzo Grifo is a bit more researched. “We don’t need to talk about the fact that European competition is in the minds of some players,” the midfielder told pay TV broadcaster Sky. “But we have other goals first. But if everything is still possible four games before the end, we will go on the attack.”

Big goal DFB Cup final

On Saturday, Grifo scored after a disputed penalty whistle to make it 1-0 (12th minute) against the weakest team in the second half of the season. In the closing stages, Kevin Schade (83′) and Lucas Höler made everything clear (86′). “We wanted to bring energy into the game with the substitutions. Berlin was about to equalize and then our goals hurt Hertha,” said Streich.

While the coach was already taking care of the analysis immediately after the end of the game, the Freiburg players gathered in front of the fans and celebrated the eleventh win of the season with the majority of the 21,000 spectators. The euphoria in Breisgau is palpable. However, as is so often the case, no one takes off, although the balance sheet reads promisingly. Under Streich’s leadership, Freiburg have never had as many points after 24 match days as they do now. The SC scored 19 times from dead balls – a club record at the time. And once again, the substitutes made the decision. “That’s what sets our team apart and it makes me happy that the changes worked,” said Streich.

SC Freiburg showed Hertha that a lot is possible with limited financial resources. Even if they stay true to their reserved line in Freiburg and hardly anyone talks about the great chances this season. dpa

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