Goalkeeper Mark Flekken had to stop and think for a moment. The question of whether SC Freiburg will be the favorite in the Bundesliga top game at FC Bayern Munich on Sunday (7.30 p.m. / DAZN) was apparently not that easy to answer for the Dutch international. “We’re in a great position and have nothing to lose,” said Flekken about the sports club’s good starting position. And you don’t have to hide yourself either, he added.
In the Bundesliga, Freiburg are in second place before the tenth matchday, just ahead of the German record champions. In the Europa League, the move into the knockout phase after the 4-0 (1-0) win at FC Nantes on Thursday is perfect, and coach Christian Streich’s team has not lost in eleven games. “If we don’t come out there with a big chest and a lot of confidence, then I don’t know what else it takes,” said Flekken.
Streich praises “remarkable” performance
As usual, trainer Streich, who was back in France after surviving the corona disease, refrained from quick jokes. “We had to give a lot more energy than Bayern did in Pilsen in the Champions League,” he said. “But it’s remarkable that the team is doing so well despite playing so many games.”
With the game in Nantes, the next exhausting encounter, in which France’s cup winners bravely held back despite the clear result, is behind the Freiburg team. Lukas Kübler (25′), substitute Michael Gregoritsch (71′) and Wooyeong Jeong (87′) scored, as well as an own goal by Jean-Charles Castelletto (82′).
Sports director Jochen Saier hopes with a view to the game in Munich “that we can make the game a top game”. However, the 44-year-old warns against Bayern, who have only won one of the last six games in the league. “If they are pierced, it can also be brutal. But it’s up to us,” said Saier.
He also knows that the sports club in Munich has never won. Thanks to Freiburg’s form, the chances these days are probably better than ever.
