After saying goodbye to the Dreisamstadion, a new age is dawning for SC Freiburg. Coach Christian Streich does not see it without concern.
After the last tear had dried and the final chord of “You’ll never walk alone” had faded away, Christian Streich quickly slipped into the role of the thoughtful admonisher. Despite the gala of his team at the emotionally charged farewell to the Dreisam Stadium, the veteran, successful coach of SC Freiburg does not look carefree into the future of the Bundesliga club.
“When we go over to the new stadium, the decisive factor will be whether we can take the humility with us,” said Streich after the 3-0 (3-0) win against FC Augsburg: “Whether the spectators and us, whether we will continue to stand together and live this spirit, even when difficult times come – and they will come. That will be the great task for all of us. That is all crucial – and that concerns me. “
Freiburg are leaving their previous stadium after 67 years and 360 Bundesliga games. The arena, located directly at the entrance to the Black Forest, was unique in the elite class. The SC needed a special permit for the game operation, as the pitch is shorter than allowed and has a gradient of almost one meter.
The new stadium with a capacity of almost 35,000 seats, for which construction costs of 76 million euros were estimated, was built in November 2018 in the north-west of the city. The arena will go into operation at the upcoming home game on October 16 against RB Leipzig.
Streich is afraid of excessive expectations
After 25 years at the club, Streich knows only too well what is at stake for the “small” sports club at the beginning of a new era. The 56-year-old fears overly ambitious plans and exaggerated expectations, which could find their way and endanger the basis of previous success.
“If we manage to take on the solidarity, the club will have a bright future,” said Streich: “Some clubs have not made it – and some of them no longer play in the first division or have not been there for a long time.”
For the time being, however, it doesn’t look like a crash – on the contrary. The Breisgauer played against the FCA like a piece and set a club record.
SC Freiburg unbeaten for the first time in six games
For the first time in its history, the SC is unbeaten after six match days of a season. Lukas Kübler (6th), Lucas Höler (25th) and Vincenzo Grifo with a hand penalty (33rd) scored for Freiburg, who climbed to fifth place in the table.
But although the performance of the well-rehearsed team, the clear handwriting of the coach, the well-staffed squad and the strong form of the top performers promise a good season, Streich was, as usual, cautious. “You always hear the same thing from me. I know where we belong,” said the coach: “There are good phases – and there will be other phases.”
After all, after his 300th competitive game in the SC jersey, captain Christian Günter looked a little more optimistic: “Now we’re going over to the new stadium – to make history there again.”
