Football-Bundesliga - Sudden hatred experience with Instagram
During a difficult phase at the beginning of the previous season, SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu kept his distance from social media. Harsh comments from the 22-year-old were left on him.
"I hated Instagram all of a sudden, I turned off all notifications", Atubolu explained in a podcast of the club during the training camp in Schruns. "You're hurting the player instead of pushing him, and you're hurting the club you love as a fan."
His former coach Christian Streich's defense during a press conference was liberating for Atubolu, who grew up in the Sport-Club's youth system. "After that, I could play more calmly."
Grateful for the support of the former coach
The confrontation with criticism now sees him as part of a maturing process, and he looks back on his first season as a regular goalkeeper for the Freiburg professionals with pride. "I knew it wouldn't be easy and I needed time to settle in", Atubolu said. "I give my best for the club."
The Freiburg team ends their training camp in Österreich's Schruns on Friday (2:00 PM) with a 120-minute test match against 2. Liga side SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The team of new coach Julian Schuster starts the season on August 17 in the DFB-Pokal against third-division side VfL Osnabrück.
Atubolu's gratitude towards his former coach Streich extends beyond Freiburg, as he hails from Austria. He once felt the sting of criticism on Instagram during his time in the Football-Bundesliga. Despite the challenges, SC Freiburg's regular goalkeeper remains committed to delivering his best for the club, just like teams from Baden-Württemberg and beyond in Germany's top-tier soccer league. Furthermore, Atubolu and his team will wrap up their training camp in Schruns with a match against 2. Liga side SpVgg Greuther Fürth before their DFB-Pokal opener against third-division VfL Osnabrück.
