On Sunday morning, there was a sea of SC shirts on the tram, and Freiburg scarves were blowing in the wind. Everyone was on their way to the Europa-Park Stadion, and the car park behind the east stand was full. There was a big crowd for SCF’s first training session of the new season. “We’ve watched so much of the EUROs over the last few weeks. Now, we’re happy that SC are finally back and we can see the players,” said one family.
“I was getting homesick”
A group on a bar table were also pleased about their team’s return to training. “It wasn’t like this in previous years. On Sunday morning, you can just come and see the new players and of course the new coaching staff too. I was getting homesick, so I’m happy that the Bundesliga starts again soon.”
Julian Schuster, who took part in his first press conference as head coach afterwards, was pleased about the high attendance. “We want to maintain a close connection with the fans. It’s great that they’ve responded to that so well.”
The team and coaching staff were greeted with a warm round of applause. New signings Patrick Osterhage, Eren Dinkci and Jannik Huth, as well as assistant coach Patrik Grolimund, were all present, as of course was Schuster, who led his first training session as SCF head coach.
“Julian has already delivered a speech in the dressing room and told us what he expects from us. It was great to have the ball at my feet and to see the lads again. The first session was really fun,” said captain Christian Günter after signing autographs for supporters. “Today was great for us and the fans.”
U23s join in first-team training
U23 players Johan Manzambi, Bruno Ogbus, and Berkay Yilmaz, who is currently away with the Türkiye U19 side, are in the first-team training group. Luca Marino was also present at the first session from the U23s. Michael Gregoritsch, Philipp Lienhart and Roland Sallai were all missing due to having taken part in EURO 2024 with Austria and Hungary. “They’ll join up with us after the training camp,” said Schuster. Ritsu Doan, who will return in the next few weeks after playing in World Cup qualification with Japan, and Kiliann Sildillia, who is representing France at the Olympic Games in Paris, were also not with the group.
Matthias Ginter and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh completed the first set of running drills with the rest of the squad before continuing with their individual sessions. Both players are working on returning to team training after injury. Lukas Kübler was absent due to illness.
“No problems settling in”
The fans present at the first training session of the season got to see their side do a little bit of everything, as the SCF players warmed up before doing some passing, shooting and positional drills. The first goal scored by Vincenzo Grifo was celebrated just as much as a save from Noah Atubolu. After Schuster gave his side a team talk to round off the session, the SC supporters really got their money’s worth, as they saw their favourite players up close as they signed autographs and took photos. The three new arrivals – Dincki, Osterhage and Huth – all spoke to the media too.
All three were pleased with how their first training sessions as SC Freiburg players went. “I’m happy that things have got up and running. Everyone here is really nice, and I haven’t had any problems settling in,” said Patrick Osterhage. Eren Dinkci, who proved to be popular amongst the journalists in attendance, stated, “I knew right after the first round of talks that I wanted to join SC Freiburg.” Goalkeeper Jannik Huth felt similarly confident after training: “SC Freiburg is a great club. There are definitely going to be a lot of opportunities that arise during my time here.”
Feeling excited about taking the reins
Julian Schuster also referenced these opportunities in his first press conference as SCF head coach – “I’m happy that the long summer break is over and that today’s the day where everything gets started. When I arrived at SC 16 years ago, I envisioned a lot for myself, but never that I’d be sitting here as head coach. I’m really happy that I’ve been given this opportunity to take the reins.”
Jochen Saier, SCF’s chief sporting officer, was also at the press conference and spoke about the “special day”. “Changing coaches isn’t really something that’s been on our radar for the past 12 years. It feels great to be sitting here alongside Julian now. There’s a lot of anticipation. He’s going to be a good fit for the way we do things here, and he’ll bring a lot to the table.”
Following their first training session at the Europa-Park-Stadion, SC Freiburg will travel to their pre-season training camp in Schruns on 17th July. SC will play their first friendly of the season while there, as they take on SCR Altach on 19th July.