SC Freiburg celebrated a victory at Darmstadt 98 – there was no good football, but there was a lot of love and hope for Europe in the air.
Red and white confetti fluttered through the air, on the banners of the Freiburg fans you could read about the great love, about “Amore” – and that was also in the air at the Böllenfalltor after SC’s 1-0 win at Darmstadt 98 . After the final whistle, Christian Streich sent air kisses into the curve, which is a straight line for the away fans in Darmstadt, and Freiburg had it, the lightness that they and the game had missed 90 minutes before.
“We played football at the right times,” Michael Gregoritsch summed it up aptly after the game. “We knew we had to work 100 percent and that was the reason why we won it.” The Freiburg team worked on football in Darmstadt. Ritsu Doan scored the only goal of the game in the 37th minute. It was one of the few highlights in the first half.
Work victory with luck
Christian Streich acknowledged the goal almost without moving. The deep worry line on his forehead did not disappear. Instead, he grabbed his water bottle, took a sip and continued walking through his coaching zone. “That’s what we expected and we passed,” Streich later revealed. “A happy victory from our point of view, unfortunate for Darmstadt – a labor victory.”
Freiburg had a hard time in the game against the bottom of the table. “You could tell that we were a bit tired,” said Streich. But: “We have won three away games in a row. We have never done that before.” At least not this season. And that’s why SC, in eighth place, is now only separated by three points from the draw kings of Eintracht Frankfurt in sixth place.
Gregoritsch: Memories as motivation
Looking at the table is not just something special for Michael Gregoritsch – the dream of Europe is alive for the entire team, once again. “He’s been alive the whole season,” said Gregoritsch. “We now have five games, three of them home games – when, if not now, say: We want to go there.” After all, the team experienced the special moments in the Europa League together and the memories are still present. “We know what kind of experiences we can get internationally. That’s incentive enough.”
Streich did not want to focus on the internal team issue after the game in Darmstadt. “We passed,” said the coach. Passed, with a candidate for relegation – but with Mainz the next basement child is already waiting next week. “We want to play a good game against Mainz. We have to play better.” After all, Mainz also played better than bottom team Darmstadt in their 4-1 win against TSG Hoffenheim this weekend – that should also be on the cards.
Confetti international?
The coach also noticed in Darmstadt that he was not only at the top of the Freiburg fans’ favour. There was a standing ovation for him – also from the lily fans. And so not only snippets of confetti but also Streich’s air kisses flew through the Böllenfalltor – and maybe with Amore and applause it will work with Europe too.