Streich shrugs off talk of first-place: "It's important to keep SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga."
In typical Christian Streich fashion, SC Freiburg's gaffer made clear that being the guaranteed table-toppers after round five didn't interest him much.
After some of his requisite humility, Streich also gave an injury update on Roland Sallai.
After some of his requisite humility, Streich also gave an injury update on Roland Sallai.
| Christian Streich. | Photo: Steven Schaap, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
"We scored two goals off set-pieces," Streich was sure to emphasize, "Overall, it's a lucky win because Leverkusen had more chances. At the moment, things are going well for us. I must classify this result properly."
"That doesn't interest me," Streich noted when asked how it felt to top the table, "Twelve points from five games means that things are going okay. So far, so good. We have still been the luckier ones in some games."
Streich made clear that his entire focus now shifted to the beginning of the European campaign. The Schwarzwaldverein kick off their 2022/23 Europa League group stages Thursday at the Europa Park Stadion agains Azerbaijan's Qarabag Agdam.
Streich may have some lineup adjustments to make before then. Roland Sallai had to make an early exit after taking a nasty poke to the eye. Streich reported that the Hungarian attacker's eye was completely closed and that the medical staff were hoping it was nothing beyond a bruise.
Streich had to make several in-game adjustments in order to shake up his team too. Ritsu Doan and Maximilian Eggestein - both of whom did not start - had to come on at the half in order to help get the Freiburg offense in gear.
While obviously not commenting on which direction he might be thinking in ahead of Thursday's match, Streich did make one of his typical overly humble statements when speaking about the UEL.
"The fact that we are competing in Europe is extraordinary," Streich said, "And, in a season during which we're play competing in Europe, it is important to keep SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga."