Freiburg (dpa / lsw) – Nico Schlotterbeck’s anticipation of returning to 1. FC Union Berlin is great – it is still not clear whether the Freiburg top performers will be able to play against his ex-club at all. The 22-year-old is suffering from an ankle lesion, and this Wednesday (8:30 p.m.) he may only have a seat as a spectator. Nevertheless, he is “really happy to see the boys again,” as Schlotterbeck assured him before his guest appearance in the Bundesliga in the capital.
Schlotterbeck was loaned to the Eiserne by the Sport Club last season – and during this time he immersed himself deeply in union life. “I lived in Köpenick and saw how people felt about the club. For them, the club is everything, they look forward to the game all week,” he reported. It is a shame that only 5000 spectators are allowed into the stadium on Wednesday. “To experience the Alte Försterei in full would be a dream. Unfortunately, I haven’t had that as a player yet.”
From the point of view of SC trainer Christian Streich, whether Schlotterbeck can even be there against Union is the even more important question. The chance of using the high performer with an injured ankle is “50 to 50,” said the coach on Tuesday. And made it clear: “When he’s fit, he plays. When he has problems, he doesn’t play.”
Schlotterbeck was injured in the 1: 2 bankruptcy of Freiburg at the weekend against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. When he was substituted on Saturday – with a contorted face and the support of a physiotherapist after a kick on the ankle – it did not look like an operation against Union was even theoretically possible.
But the wound turned out to be not quite as bad as many feared. The team’s trip to the capital should definitely be part of the U21 European champion, who was also nominated for the German senior national team for the first time this season.
Schlotterbeck was injured for several months last season in Berlin – but the year “brought him further in terms of self-confidence and the idea of the game,” as he said. He is still in contact with former teammates and Union employees. “I watch every Union game and I’m happy for them when they win. But I hope they don’t play so well against us.” A parallel to the Freiburg team is the great solidarity. As now, there was “an unbelievable team spirit and no formation of small groups” in the Union team.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211214-99-380933 / 6
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