Julian Schuster has a strong premiere year with SC Freiburg. Only the crowning glory is missing. In an interview with SWR Sport, the trainer draws a positive season balance.
SC Freiburg could have qualified for the Champions League for the first time by winning Eintracht Frankfurt, But lost 1: 3 against the Hesse. Thus, the sports club will play in the Europa League in the coming season. Coach Julian Schuster therefore looks back on the season in an exclusive conversation with SWR Sport with a laughing and a crying eye, but the positive aspects predominate.
SWR Sport: Julian Schuster, SC Freiburg just missed the Champions League. How were you after the final game of the Frankfurt game?
Julian Schuster: Immediately after the final whistle, the pain over the defeat prevailed for me. With every minute that passes, however, what we have done across the season is coming to the fore. This is also important – that despite the pain we look at the entire season.
After the 1-0 lead against Eintracht, SC Freiburg was in the Champions League for almost 20 minutes. Did you already have the hymn in your ears?
No. We tried everything, but we didn’t use our chances and unfortunately also made mistakes in the back. And you need such moments against top teams to win victories. And that’s exactly what we may miss. But we can develop further – these are the goals we have for the future. What we have achieved is not a matter of course. It all makes us proud that we can go on a trip together with our fans.
Almost a year ago, coach Christian Streich was adopted at SC Freiburg. A year later they are here and had the chance of the Champions League with their team until the very end. Are you a bit surprised by this development yourself?
I hadn’t even started thinking about how the season would run. That wasn’t really tangible for me. It’s nice that I was allowed to continue something special. Christian Streich has built up a bit here over the years that has grown step by step. That was remarkable and is highly off to him. I was lucky that I could continue this together with my team. I am very grateful for that. I could combine what was already there with our ideas – and it then took a great run. If you compare games from the back series with the current ones, you can see that we have gotten better and deserve fifth place after 34 match days.
Is there a favorite moment for you when you look back on the season?
Of course I don’t do justice for some moments, but for me it was the first home win that Derby against VfB Stuttgart (3: 1). It was very important that we showed our face directly. The home game against Leverkusen (2-2) was particularly special.
Now the Europa League is waiting: Will Julian Schuster soon be seen in a suit on the sidelines?
The most important thing for me is that I feel comfortable. I haven’t thought about what it will ultimately be. None of these are decisive things. It is crucial for me that I can feel how many people here in the club is something special to play international again. Then my heart opens, I am very proud of that.
Prize on Sun., 18.5.2025 9:45 p.m., SWR Sport, SWR
