With a record of points, SC Freiburg is entering the final spurt of the season for the club’s history. There are still two steps to victory in the cup and their first big title, and after the 1-0 win in Cologne only four steps to their first participation in the Champions League.
Freiburg achieved this starting position as a strong unit. Only when it comes to the question of which goal is the more desirable, at least six days of celebration in the premier class or the title in Berlin, do opinions differ.
“There is no priority”
“There is no priority,” assured coach Christian Streich: “Take what we can with us. And then we leave the rest. Of course we want more. But you can already say that the team has achieved incredible things this season.” Captain Christian Günter put it similarly. “I won’t answer that question,” he said, laughing. “I’d prefer to have both.”
Offensive player Lucas Höler, on the other hand, has a priority. “I would love to win a title,” he said openly, thinking before Tuesday’s cup semi-final against RB Leipzig of the final against RB last year that was lost on penalties: “Last year we were so close that it was a very long time hurt. So if I could choose, I’d take the title.” In addition, they still have “an open account” against Leipzig.
When asked about this statement, Streich reacted with surprise. “Did someone say that?” he asked, but he didn’t have a problem with that either. The lost cup final was not such an open wound for him. “It’s not so bad if you don’t win everything,” said the coach: “It was an incredible experience, it was wonderful.” But Höler’s statement was “totally fine,” he said: “They can totally say things like that. I just have to make sure that we collect everything and get reasonably decent things on the pitch together.”
Streich reports a happy victory
This succeeds in this successfully. Even if the performance, as in Cologne, is actually not that outstanding. “Today it was certainly not the better team that won, but the luckier ones,” Streich admitted frankly after the success of Ritsu Doan’s goal (54th): “But they bite, they do everything. Then it’s possible, too winning such tight games in the end.” His players “defended like crazy” and “work, work, work. They have a great work ethic, great mentality and they can also play football.”
One thing is clear: Freiburg have never had 56 points at the end of the season since the introduction of the three-point rule. Now after 30 of 34 games. Now it’s about the culmination of the season, about something unique.
“There’s tension, absolutely,” said Streich: “But we’re just looking forward to it and see what comes of it. That’s how I feel.” And Captain Günter was of the same opinion this time. “We’ve got a very, very good starting position,” he said: “Now it’s important to go into the final games full of energy and joy. What could be nicer than fighting for the Champions League with four games to go? I can’t imagine anything nicer as a footballer. And that will definitely release our strength again.”