Christian Streich expects a tough second leg of the Europa League against Lens. There is positive news from national player Matthias Ginter.
Coach Christian Streich from SC Freiburg demands an absolute top performance from his team for a possible place in the Europa League round of 16.
“There is a chance for us,” said the Baden coach one day before the second round second leg against RC Lens on Thursday (6.45 p.m. in the live ticker and audio stream at sportschau.de).
“We must reach the maximum of our capacity and the capacity for suffering.” Only then can you “defeat such teams on a special day.”
Freiburg without a win, but with morale
In the first leg a week ago, the eighth-placed team in the Bundesliga and the sixth-placed team in the French Ligue 1 played a goalless game. The Freiburg team have been waiting for a win for five competitive games, but despite being behind three times they still managed to win 3-3 against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. That showed what morale the team had, said offensive ace Vincenzo Grifo.
Depending on the performance of the German teams in the further course of the European Cup season, the Bundesliga could receive a fifth Champions League and generally another European starting place next season. But Streich is only marginally interested in that. Moving forward was “motivation enough,” he said. “I know about the other thing. But there’s no point in dealing with it. If we make it to the round of 16, all the flowers will fly to you anyway and then she’ll fly with us.”
Ginter about to return to the squad
According to Streich, defender Matthias Ginter, who was recently missing due to an irritated Achilles tendon, could at least return to the squad. Yannik Keitel, who is plagued by back and calf problems, is “rather unlikely” to be deployed.
Broadcast on Thursday, February 22, 2024, 6:40 p.m., SWR1 Baden-Württemberg
