Throughout the season, Freiburg was within reach of its third European Cup ticket in a row. But with feared opponents Union Berlin, the SC could also lose 8th place. Christian Streich makes a clear announcement to the professionals before his last game.
Before his last game as Freiburg coach, Christian Streich made a clear announcement to his players. IMAGO/Sportfoto Pack
Over the course of the season, Freiburg repeatedly failed to gain some fat in the snail race behind the top 5. Especially in the two most recent home games against Wolfsburg (1:2) and Heidenheim (1:1), the Streich team missed important steps on the way to their third European Cup ticket in a row.
This really annoyed and frustrated the outgoing successful coach. Especially since the SC could also lose their 8th place in the Conference League if they win the Leverkusen Cup at Union Berlin on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).
Streich approaches the season finale, which marks his personal farewell after twelve and a half years, with sober clarity. “Union has to defeat us, we have to defeat Union. Either we do it, then we can be qualified for Europe, or we don’t do it.”
In the negative case, he wants to cushion the natural big disappointment in advance: “Then we would have left too much behind. Then it would still be a great season. With the difficulties, all the injuries, it wouldn’t have been all bad.”
Of course, Streich knows that missing the European Cup could no longer be seen as a “great” performance due to the starting situation. But if the SC reaches an international competition for the third time in a row, the 58-year-old would see it as “madness for our club.” However, in order to defend 8th place on our own, we need to win a point. In order to regain 7th place, a win is essential, but it would only be of any use if Hoffenheim doesn’t win against Bayern.
The fact that this mission has to be completed against 1. FC Union Berlin, who are in acute danger of relegation, makes it a very delicate one. “It will burn there, like in our stadium against Heidenheim,” estimates Streich. His team must show the same commitment in Köpenick with which they ignited the home crowd against Heidenheim and use the volume at the old forestry house in a positive way for their own performance.
The most recent record against Union gives the game additional explosiveness. In the past two seasons, the Köpenickers have ruined SC’s possible first participation in the Champions League by winning direct duels in the season finale. In addition: Union’s fundamentally physical, straightforward style has not suited SC in the Bundesliga so far (2 wins/3 draws/4 defeats).
This should be an additional incentive for Streich before his personal finale. In any case, he makes a clear message to his professionals: “If you are a really good team with really good individual players and have the ambition to play in Europe again, then you have to survive at Union Berlin.”
2024-05-15 13:58:44
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