SC Freiburg continues to ride the wave of success. Newcomer Ritsu Doan is in strong early form, also one of the best in the successful European Cup comeback - and right in the middle of the party afterwards. The Badeners want to continue their run against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Freiburg (dpa / lsw) - Ritsu Doan didn't take long to win the hearts of the fans. Because the king transfer delivers. The Japanese has already scored four goals after seven competitive games in the SC Freiburg jersey. The most expensive new signing of this summer, at a good eight million euros, played a key role in the fact that the Badeners started the season so well - in the league and internationally. He's someone who can make the difference in tight games. One that the modest people of Breisgau now also afford. A symbol of their rapid growth.
The squad of the current leaders in the Bundesliga has become wider and qualitatively stronger. Purchases like offensive man Doan fuel hopes that SC will be able to cope better with the triple burden this season than in the past. On Sunday (5.30 p.m. / DAZN) against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the flight should continue and the fifth competitive win in a row should be achieved. Freiburg have to make sure that they "get the power back on the pitch", as coach Christian Streich puts it. "You need total power, otherwise you won't make it."
Doan has that power. The national player is quick, technically adept and good at dribbling, but not above defensive work either. "I'm very happy with him," said Streich after the 2-1 (2-1) win at the start of the Europa League group stage against Karabakh Agdam on Thursday. Taken from Dutch first division club PSV Eindhoven, Doan was once again one of the most conspicuous Freiburgers against the Azerbaijani champions. With his notable goal to make it 2-0 in the 15th minute, he finally paved the way for the Streich team to make a successful comeback in the European Cup. Shortly before, the 24-year-old had missed a huge free-standing chance.
"He shakes it off, doesn't let himself be impressed and then scores a great goal," Streich praised the 1.72 meter man. "Today he also played his best game against the ball in coordination with Kiliann Sildillia, was very diligent and was very good in the rooms." After the game, Doan was even in the fan block. The supporters had ordered him there with chants and celebrated him and his colleagues loudly and for minutes after the overall deserved victory.
"It's good for us," said Streich about the opening success in the European Cup. After the early lead through a penalty kick converted by Vincenzo Grifo (7th minute) and Doan's goal to make it 2-0, the sometimes neglectful SC had to fight until the end. The connection by Marko Vesovic (39th) was ultimately not enough for the guests. "We are very happy that we are currently winning the tight games," said defender Matthias Ginter. "It helps us tremendously on our way." It was already tight against Bochum (1-0). Also in Leverkusen (3:2) or in the cup in Kaiserslautern (2:1 aet), where Doan scored to win. But these successes also show how solid the SC is.
The start was successful across all competitions. The chance of spending the winter in the Europa League this time, unlike when we were eliminated in the group phase of the 2013/2014 season, has increased a little bit. Sunday the SC continues in the league. He has not lost a home game against Gladbach in the Oberhaus for 20 years. Streich expects the next tight game. Maybe she's a case for Doan again.
