Hope is still alive at SC Freiburg. For minutes, the professionals of the Baden Bundesliga soccer club were celebrated by their traveling fans after the 0-1 (0-0) defeat in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League at Juventus Turin.
And coach Christian Streich was also combative with a view to the second leg next week. “With the result we will do everything we can to create a sensation in the end,” said the 57-year-old. The home game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Sunday is still waiting in the league. That will also be a “challenge”, emphasized Streich – between the emotional highlights against Juve probably even more so.
Höler: “A nice experience”
The biggest international game in the club’s history so far has left a lasting impression on the Freiburg team – and a chance to progress. Striker Lucas Höler reported that he got “real goosebumps” from the tingling atmosphere in the well-filled stadium of the Italian record champions. It was “a nice experience” in Turin.
Since the courageous Baden offensive remained harmless for long stretches and a goal by Höler was disallowed because of a previous handball, Juve’s goal from Ángel Di María (53rd minute) was enough for Juve to win. The game of the Argentine world champion was “a feast for the eyes” and a “pleasure” for anyone who likes to watch football, Streich praised the match winner afterwards.
Hoffenheim duel on Sunday
On the other hand, they themselves would have to work on their passing accuracy and the occupation of the penalty area, analyzed the Freiburg team. “It would have been nice if we had brought one or the other ball more dangerously into the center,” said Coach Streich. “Actually, I was the only one who was in the front of the pits,” Höler complained. In the second leg you will do better, he announced immediately.
But he’s not even thinking about that yet, said Streich. “Join forces” and “get your heads free” is his motto before the game against Hoffenheim, in which he wants to see a “very, very concentrated and committed” performance from his team on Sunday. In the normal everyday life of the league. Far away from all European Cup glamour.
