Full focus on Freiburg!
On Tuesday, the Red Bulls started their training week before the game at SC Freiburg (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.).
With the exception of Yussuf Poulsen, who sustained an injury to his left hamstring during the home game against Mainz 05, the entire squad was available to head coach Marco Rosefor the session.
RBL Fans at Training – Christoph Baumgartner Interview
Almost 1,500 RBL fans were in attendance and saw an intensive training session. RBL attacker Christoph Baumgartner then turned his attention to the upcoming away game. “I expect a heated game. The anticipation is there and we know what to expect.”
Here you can find all the answers from our number 14 and the pictures from the open training
Christoph Baumgartner about…
… the large number of fans at the open training session
- “It’s always nice to see the joy and the smile in the eyes of the fans and the children. I can still remember how happy I was as a little kid when I met a professional footballer. This is a really cool experience. That’s why we like to take the time and try to fulfill people’s wishes.
Basically, I’m a fan of being close to fans and giving something back to them. Especially the kids. This is incredibly important and is fun for all of us.”
… Baumgartners and Records
- “It’s a really cool story that there are now two record-breaking Baumis. In the Austrian national team we have often brought the ball forward at kick-off, usually with a pass to the left or right into the half space.
But the Slovaks saw through our plan and closed the center. I was at full speed and only had one thought: turning away is no longer an option, close your eyes and go. I then got past the first three or four guys really well. I also expected a corner after I shot. The goalkeeper was still in the locker room and wasn’t quite ready. And suddenly I scored a world record goal.
I only received the information about the world record from the ÖFB press spokesman after I was substituted. During the game I thought: It really can’t get that much faster. There shouldn’t be many ahead of me. The fact that it really is a world record, and at an international match too, is really something special for me.
Unfortunately, I have not yet met Felix Baumgartner personally. I also think he set some of the more exciting records.”
Open Training on April 2nd
Christoph Baumgartner about…
… the unfortunate draw against Mainz
- “Football is like that sometimes. There were just little things, sometimes centimeters, missing on Saturday. We had enough chances. However, we were missing the final punch. Additionally, Mainz had an outstanding goalkeeper that day in Zentner. And then all of a sudden you find yourself with a 0-0 scoreline and no one really knows how that came about. But one point is better than no point.”
… the team’s reaction to Dortmund’s win against Bayern Munich
- “We can’t influence what Dortmund do. We have to look at ourselves. After all, we still have it all in our own hands. Our match against BVB is already at the end of April. Until then, the focus is entirely on us. We know that we are no longer allowed to give away much – if anything.
We have the quality to qualify for the Champions League. But we now have to deliver consistently week after week. I am 100% sure we can do this.”
… the end of the season
- “Of course we would prefer it if we were still in the Champions League – to be completely honest. But now we can concentrate fully on the Bundesliga.
There are no easy opponents anymore. We saw this again at the weekend. We drew against Mainz, Stuttgart had a very difficult time against Heidenheim. The Bundesliga is at the absolute top level and we have to be at that level too. We just have to do the little things right to win the games.
It will be a very difficult game, especially away from home in Freiburg, we are all aware of that. It’s always heated there. We will have to exploit our full potential to win there. That is our one clear goal.”
Christoph Baumgartner about…
… his personal development
- “I am on the right track. A little slower than I would sometimes like. I’m a very ambitious guy – but everyone here is. Everyone wants to play right from the start because every player here has outstanding qualities. But I can assess myself and the situation well.
My main position is as a 10 – and none of us are blind. We have two of the best Bundesliga players in this position. There is no question that the two of them are playing. I can still improve in some areas: for example, I can become more dangerous in front of goal and clearer in pressing. There were one or two games, in Stuttgart among others, where I had problems. I work on it every day. But the head coach is not dissatisfied with me.
For example, I’m aware that I didn’t play a top game at the weekend. If you get a chance, you should deliver. That’s how it is in football. A week before, I showed with the Austrian national team that I can play pretty well. I will keep pushing, encouraging myself in training every day and am sure that I will then get selected more. I know that there is a lot of competition – but I’m happy to accept it!”
… SC Freiburg
- “Freiburg is always very well organized and structured. Christian Streich’s influence is clearly recognizable. The same seven or eight players have been regulars for years now. You can see that. They know what they have to do. The are on the right track.
Gregl, Michael Gregoritsch, is a very good friend of mine. He is in absolutely top form and we will have to defend him very well. He has a lot of quality in the box.
I expect a heated game. The anticipation is there and we know what to expect.”