Michael Gregoritsch scores important goals, also in the ÖFB selection. He is one of the key players at SC Freiburg. But Christian Streich is not always happy with his striker and often puts him on the bench. After the 1-0 win in Darmstadt, Gregoritsch took a stand on the coaching criticism.
In constant exchange: Michael Gregoritsch and Christian Streich (right). IMAGO/Sportfoto Pack
Michael Gregoritsch has often appeared positively and decisively in games this season. After a long dry spell in the first half of the season, he broke his goal score at the club at the end of November with a hat trick in a 5-0 win against Piraeus in the Europa League. The winning goals in Mainz and Wolfsburg followed immediately afterwards.
Despite good yield: What Gregoritsch sometimes lacks
His six Bundesliga goals this season so far have led to 16 points from six games, and in the knockout phase of the Europa League the Austrian scored the winning goals in the home games against Lens and West Ham. In the national team, Gregoritsch delivered a strong performance in the 2-0 win against Germany in November, and he even scored another hat trick in the 6-1 win against Turkey in March.
At SC, after the 3-2 win against Hoffenheim at the start of the second half of the season, he received compliments from Streich even without a scorer point. Overall, he has eleven goals and six assists in 39 competitive games so far – but Gregoritsch is still not really a regular starter. Streich brought his central attacker on 18 times as a joker because the SC coach wasn’t always happy with the 1.93 meter man’s performances.
For example, in the 3-0 defeat in Dortmund, Gregoritsch Streich’s expectations were not met. In the 4-1 defeat against Leipzig on the penultimate matchday, Gregoritsch had to stay in the dressing room at half-time, after a strong performance and goal in the 3-0 win in Gladbach. Sometimes the striker, who is strong in the air and skilled in football, seems to lack the final punch when running up, in the duel, and in some offensive runs.
Austrian scores against Darmstadt
“Gregerl, presence,” Streich said these two words before the game in Darmstadt when it came to the possible replacement for the yellow-banned, strong-running and fighting Lucas Höler. The expression of presence is a central theme at Gregoritsch. Does he bring them to the pitch to the extent required at SC, or not?
Gregoritsch was in the starting line-up in Darmstadt, but may have also benefited from the fact that Merlin Röhl only came in the second half with an injury. Otherwise an offensive without Höler and Gregoritsch would have been conceivable. Gregoritsch took advantage of his second chance with an overall mediocre offensive performance, set up Ritsu Doan’s winning goal well by being present with his back to the goal, was also dangerous himself and then commented on Streich’s criticism.
That’s absolutely fine because he communicates with me in exactly the same way, completely honestly.
Michael Gregoritsch on Christian Streich’s public criticism
“If the coach communicates it like that in public, it’s absolutely fine, because he communicates it with me in exactly the same way. For me, the coach is by far the most important contact person when it comes to this,” said Gregoritsch, who had to speak on the subject but also smile, “because I don’t think I’ll ever be a 14-kilometer player again.”
He always tries his best: “I have other qualities that are more pronounced in me. Nevertheless, I think I have improved significantly in this defensive behavior, I have become a different player than I was three years ago.” No contradiction. A credit to Streich and his coaching staff, but of course also to Gregoritsch, who was ready to work intensively on his weaknesses in his late 20s.
Where “Gregell” still sees potential for development
He tries to offer the complete package throughout the entire season. However, referring to his workload since moving to Freiburg in the summer of 2022 – including the national team, there have been 93 games so far – he restricts: “It’s not easy to get this full presence every time. Sometimes you don’t even get into certain situations “You push the central defender away and make physical contact. Sometimes you don’t have the access and you have to try to solve it differently.”
Gregoritsch’s conclusion: “It’s absolutely fine if the coach replaces me at half-time like last week or sees the topic differently and has suggestions for improvement. I have no problem with criticism in general or with criticism of the coach. I talk to him about it, I try As I said, I’ve already improved, but there’s definitely still room for development.”
2024-04-17 07:27:43
#Gregoritsch #deals #Streichs #criticism
