Freiburg’s record at FC Bayern is devastating, both for the club and for the coach personally. But it’s not just the first competitive win in Munich in April of this year that gives Christian Streich confidence before another trip to the Bavarian capital.
Has a bad record against Bayern: Christian Streich. IMAGO/Ulmer/Team photo
“If we play like we did in the first half, we’ll get a goal or two,” said the SC coach after the 1-2 defeat in the Europa League against West Ham United with a view to the next away game in the league against Bayern (Sunday, 5:30 p.m., LIVE! on kicker). “The second half was really appealing, that’s how we want to perform,” said Streich. He knows that his team has to be much braver and more confident on the ball than on Thursday evening in order to survive in Munich. “We need a really good performance for that,” said the 58-year-old. “We haven’t managed to win in Munich very often, to be honest – but that was even nicer.”
The Freiburgers still look back fondly on the 2-1 win in the DFB Cup quarter-finals at the beginning of April, in which the sports club overturned an early deficit, even if it was followed by an exit in the cup semi-finals against Leipzig. Last season, however, the Freiburg team were riding a wave of success and were in the top 5 for almost the entire season. “Now things are shaking in some places,” said Streich. For him, this includes, among other things, the long-term absence of captain Christian Günter, who will be missed in the dressing room and especially on the pitch. According to Streich, without the dynamic left-back, the SC game lacked “depth and speed”, and Günter opened up spaces, including for left winger Vincenzo Grifo.
Not only Günter will still be missing in Munich, midfielder Nicolas Höfler – who scored the equalizer in Munich in April – is also suspended again. Streich doesn’t find that pleasing, “especially against such a top opponent, but then others get the chance.” Yannik Keitel will probably not be considered for this. The Höfler representative had to be substituted with an adductor injury in the recent home win against Augsburg. And Michael Gregoritsch, who had calf problems again after the same game, is unlikely to be available, according to his coach, even if he hasn’t given up hope.
“We’re playing against an outstanding team, so we’ll try to work outstandingly and play football to the best of our ability, then we’ll have a chance,” said Streich. While West Ham were more focused on counterattacks, Freiburg will now face a different opponent. “But we also want possession of the ball in Munich, we need possession of the ball, otherwise you will be crushed,” says the SC coach. “It is also our identity to want to have the ball ourselves.” Freiburg had just 33 percent possession of the ball in the cup game they won in April.
Streich’s poor points average against Bayern
In the Bundesliga, three draws were Freiburg’s only partial successes in 23 attempts at FCB. And coach Streich doesn’t have such a weak point average against any team as against Bayern: In a total of 21 duels with FCB, he only got one win with five draws and 15 defeats, which makes an average of just 0.38 points per game. Only four coaches have lost more often against Bayern. In the event of another defeat, the SC coach will draw level with Bruno Labbadia and Dieter Hecking (both 16). Only Friedhelm Funkel (23) and Heinz Höher (18) were defeated by the record champions more often.
Streich also doesn’t have a good record against FCB coach Thomas Tuchel in the Bundesliga with two draws and six defeats. He hasn’t met any other coach so many times without winning. Nevertheless, he says: “We’re going to Munich with our heads held high, we have ten points and won the last game.” He was also encouraged by the “good second half” against West Ham.
2023-10-07 11:24:23
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