Freiburg (dpa/lsw) – Christian Streich has been the professional coach of SC Freiburg for almost twelve years. And yet he always experiences something new and special. On Thursday (6.45 p.m./RTL+) the 58-year-old and the Baden team will celebrate their competitive debut against a club from England. “I’ve been in football for a few days now,” said Streich on Wednesday. But the upcoming Europa League duel with West Ham United is definitely something “very special”.
The English league is undisputedly “the strongest” and the standard there is “incredibly high.” Streich expects a “big challenge”, but at the same time is full of anticipation for the Conference League winner from last season.
The 2-0 win in the Bundesliga against FC Augsburg last Sunday was clearly good for the coach and his team. “We are all fighting,” said Streich, describing Freiburg’s current situation. They had previously remained winless in the league three times in a row. There are always injury-related setbacks. A lot of things on the pitch are piecemeal. Just three days after the European Cup group game against West Ham, the tricky league game awaits against German champions FC Bayern Munich.
“Everything is not going so easily for them at the moment,” said Streich about himself and his team. He was also tense before the game against Augsburg. “Even if I actually had so much experience that it would be less. But that wasn’t the case.” And it was all the more important for Freiburg to win the hard-fought game against FCA.
Now we’re heading into the highlight against West Ham and the German international Thilo Kehrer with new momentum. SC midfield talent Yannik Keitel (adductor problems) and striker Michael Gregoritsch (calf problems) are in danger of being sidelined. Vincenzo Grifo, scorer and assist against Augsburg, is bursting with energy. The sports club will go into this game “with a lot of strength,” announced the 30-year-old. The people of Freiburg had worked for a whole year for further appearances on the glamorous European stage, explained Grifo. Accordingly, they now wanted to enjoy it – including him personally. After all, he is no longer the youngest for a footballer.
However, stadium visitors will have to do without potentially rousing chants from English fans on Thursday. West Ham supporters are not allowed due to a UEFA sanction. “I don’t miss them terribly, I’m more happy for the people in Freiburg and the surrounding area, so there are more seats for our fans,” said Streich. The game will be a one-sided affair on the stands, but on the pitch it will probably be a lot more difficult.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:231004-99-438805/3
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