“SC Freiburg’s Nicolas Höfler: The Midfield Marathon Man Talks Champions League Hopes Ahead of Union Berlin Clash”

Prize question: Who runs and runs and runs? Answer: In this case it is not the legendary VW Beetle. It’s Nicolas Höfler, SC Freiburg’s midfield marathon man. Called “Chicco” by everyone.

Since his return from Erzgebirge Aue to Dreisam ten years ago, the now 33-year-old has been with the sports club. Since then, the long-distance runner has unwound kilometer after kilometer in the headquarters. Already in 42 competitive games this season: 30 times in the Bundesliga. Five times in the DFB Cup. Seven times in the Europa League. Nicolas Höfler, the tireless interceptor in Breisgau.

SWR Sport: Chicco Höfler, is there still enough fuel in the tank for the three-game final sprint in the Bundesliga with this constant load?

“Of course, the body is slightly exhausted towards the end of the season. But of course there is a lot about the head, about the mentality, about the last will. We are extremely motivated. We want to get the best out of ourselves and make the last three games successful . That’s why we want to get the last bit out of the head and out of the body.”

How important is dosed training, regeneration and rehabilitation measures in this phase?

“In the last few weeks, it definitely depends on the training dose. Of course, a little something is taken out and it is made sure that you achieve the best possible regeneration off the pitch with lots of stretching and massage. We are all well prepared and know what to do , to get the last grains out.”

SC Freiburg is having a fantastic season, statistically the best since the three-point rule was introduced. Recently, however, Nicolas Höfler and SC Freiburg failed twice at home to RB Leipzig. In the There was a disappointing 1:5 in the DFB Cup semi-final last weekin the Bundesliga the Breisgauer lost four days later with 0:1 and fell out of the Champions League ranks for the time being.

The Sport-Club is currently in fifth place in a Europa League, international business is definitely already set for next season, at least participation in the Conference League is certain. But the premier class of football is still tempting. All the more important is the Freiburg game on Saturday (3.30 p.m. / live in the SWR1 stadium) against Fourth Union Berlin, who have the same number of points on 56 points.

What kind of game will that be at the “Iron” in Köpenick?

“Of course it will be a duel in which everything is at stake, where everyone tries to get the best out of themselves, it will be very intense. The game is always very competitive at Union Berlin in particular, we have to be prepared for that. But we know what awaits us. It’s about who can hold out longer, who’s more consistent in duels and who wants it more in the end.”

Champions League for the first time at the age of 33. Would that make a dream come true for you?

“That’s all would, would, if. Of course every footballer wants to achieve the maximum. And of course, that would be very close to the maximum. But I’m not a fan of talking about it in advance and then the performance isn’t right at the end. I feel We’d rather have a successful start to the game on Saturday. And if we can win that, then we can talk more about it. Before that, it’s difficult for me to talk about the subject.”

How much did you taste blood, especially in games like against Juventus Turin?

“The season with the international games in particular was a highlight for all of us. Anyone who has experienced that once wants to do it again. We are already qualified internationally. And that’s where every footballer strives for the highest.”

As a 15-year-old at the time, Nicolas Höfler, who was born in Überlingen on Lake Constance, came from SC Pfullendorf to the SC Freiburg football school in 2005, and subsequently established himself first as a youth and then in the Breisgauer professional team. From 2011 to 2013 he got important match practice as a young professional in Aue in the Ore Mountains before he really took off in Freiburg. In the meantime, a total of 300 competitive games have been booked. Nicolas Höfler, or: Half a life at the sports club. After his contract was extended again at the end of November last year, sports director Jochen Saier described him as an “anchor and pacesetter in midfield”.

Her professional career began in Freiburg. Does it end here too?

“There’s a very, very high probability that the end will be at Sport-Club. At the moment I can’t imagine anything else. But football is fast-paced, so I don’t want to say anything definitive. But I feel good and it’s my dream in any case, to end my career at SC.”

Until then, whenever that happens, Nicolas “Chicco” Höfler will continue to cover his kilometers on the Dreisam. In the best case next season also in the Champions League.