Bundesliga trio races through Europe despite cup throwing
Three games, three wins. Thursday in the Europa League and Conference League could not have gone better for the Bundesliga representatives. Only a thrown cup marred Frankfurt's joy, while the jubilation in Freiburg and at Bayer Leverkusen, the top club of the season so far, was unbridled.
The SC Freiburg players in the stands enjoyed bathing in the crowd, the fans celebrated coach Christian Streich as the "best man" with chants: the highest European Cup victory in the club's history was balm for Freiburg's soccer soul after a complicated few weeks. "A big compliment to the team," said captain Vincenzo Grifo on RTL, "they absolutely deserve this praise from the fans."
With the 5:0 (1:0) win against Serbian runners-up TSC Backa Topola, the Breisgau side have their sights firmly set on the knockout round of the Europa League, with third place in the group and at least a place in the Conference League after the turn of the year already secured. With a draw against Olympiakos Piraeus on November 30, Sport-Club can already secure a place in the knockout round of the Europa League, as they did last year.
"We played one of our top games this season and were very effective," said Grifo, and Streich was also satisfied. "The team played a very good game," praised the coach. And yet Streich did not want to be too effusive. "What's important now is the Bundesliga on Sunday," said Streich, with Freiburg facing a difficult away game at RB Leipzig (7.30pm/DAZN and live ticker on ntv.de): "We have to make sure that we stay away at the back of the Bundesliga." Because unlike in Europe, things are not yet going according to plan for Breisgau in the league.
Defensive stability in particular has left a lot to be desired of late, with nine goals conceded in the last four Bundesliga matches. Added to this was the second round exit in the DFB Cup against second division side SC Paderborn (1:3), but the strong performance against Backa Topola gave hope for improvement. "The basis was discipline against the ball," praised Streich: "Not just from the defense, but from the whole team."
Toppmöller angry with his own fans
Meanwhile, Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller condemned the cup thrown at a HJK Helsinki player in the Conference League. "That was an absolutely unnecessary action. When you see what colors were sitting there, it was probably one of us," said the 42-year-old: "I apologize to the player and the host club for that."
HJK professional Santeri Hostikka had been hit by a cup from the SGE block while taking a corner midway through the first half. The referee restarted the match after a brief interruption. "I only saw something fly out of the corner of my eye. Fortunately, the player wasn't injured," said Toppmöller.
The Hesse coach gave special praise to Fares Chaibi after the 1:0 (1:0) win in the fourth group game and progression to the knockout round. "It's amazing how quickly he's integrated. He's done well so far. We hope he maintains this form," said Toppmöller, referring to the 20-year-old's dream goal. Chaibi has "a great finish, which he has proven impressively".
However, it remains to be seen whether the injured Robin Koch will be available again for the away Bundesliga match at Werder Bremen on Sunday (17:30/DAZN and live ticker on ntv.de). The defender, who picked up a knock in training before the trip to Helsinki, will have an MRI scan on Friday. "We'll have to wait and see. It could be tight until Sunday," said Toppmöller.
Leverkusen can only win now
Leverkusen's goal hero Victor Boniface, on the other hand, smiled briefly before the match-winner dragged himself off the pitch on the Caspian Sea, breathing heavily. Thanks to his late penalty, Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen are through to the knockout round of the Europa League ahead of time - after a tour de force.
"Football is about winning. We know that we have to and can play better, but Qarabag did well," said midfield leader Granit Xhaka on the RTL microphone after the flattering 1:0 (0:0) at Azerbaijani record champions Qarabag Agdam. With their fourth win in the fourth preliminary round match, Bayer can no longer be displaced from one of the top two places in Group H.
Boniface's late penalty (90.+4) secured the 15th win in the 16th competitive match and the eleventh three in a row. "We traveled a long way and wanted to show our best soccer. That didn't quite work out. But even a win like this feels really good," said national team player Jonas Hofmann. Leverkusen are now through the winter internationally for the sixth year in a row, and the group win and thus an early ticket to the round of 16 are now out of reach for the Werkself.
Xabi Alonso commended Bayer 04 Leverkusen's performance in the Europa League, stating that they played well despite not showing their best soccer. (Soccer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Eintracht Frankfurt's Dino Toppmöller expressed regret over a fan throwing a cup at HJK Helsinki's Santeri Hostikka during a Conference League match. (Eintracht Frankfurt, HJK Helsinki, Dino Toppmöller)
Christian Streich, the coach of SC Freiburg, highlighted the team's discipline in their Europa League game against TSC Backa Topola as a key factor in their victory. (SC Freiburg, Europa League, Christian Streich)
Source: www.ntv.de
