SC Freiburg, representing the Bundesliga in the Europa League, dramatically turned their recent fortunes around with an emphatic 5-1 victory against KRC Genk in the second leg of their 2025/26 UEL Round-of-16 tie on Thursday night. For Julian Schuster’s team, the ‘Breisgauer’, nearly everything unfolded perfectly.
The evening was particularly memorable at the Europa Park Stadion. Vincenzo Grifo, the 32-year-old veteran, not only scored a crucial goal to make it 3-1 but also shattered the club’s all-time scoring record. Meanwhile, defender Matthias Ginter’s outstanding performance prompted reporters to inquire about his potential return to the German national team.
Following the final whistle, Grifo, who celebrated with the club supporters in the Kurve, expressed profound gratitude to the SCF ultras, emphasizing the pivotal role of the fans in their deep run into the competition, a sentiment echoed by other Bundesliga teams in European play.
Schuster Overwhelmed by Emotion
“I’m truly at a loss for words,” Schuster confessed in his post-match interview. “Football progresses so rapidly. I simply want to savor this moment. In my second year as coach, I’ve learned an immense amount, especially about what this truly signifies amidst the inherent challenges.”
He continued, “It’s a profound privilege to be a head coach, and I owe a great debt of gratitude to my family. My wife, in particular, endures so much at home, enabling me to experience these incredible moments – moments I truly live for.”
Ginter’s Stellar Form and National Team Hopes
“Was I really performing so poorly before?” Ginter quipped light-heartedly in the mixed zone, following his second consecutive Man of the Match-worthy European display, as reporters pressed him about the national team. “I spoke with Julian Nagelsmann on Tuesday, and I was understandably disappointed not to be called up. Tonight, however, I earned my eighth and ninth scorer points.”
Confirming Nagelsmann’s personal call, the 52-time German international stated, “Yes, he did call. It wasn’t a fantastic conversation, but he did mention that nothing is definitively decided yet. It’s not an unfair decision, purely a sporting one. Football is a continuous grind; new opportunities arise every few days.”
Ginter concluded, “I don’t fully grasp it all – it’s not rocket science – but the only factor I can directly influence is my performance on the pitch.”
Grifo Applauds Fans for Inspirational Choreography
“The fans were absolutely magnificent,” Grifo remarked. “I believe they worked late into the night preparing the choreography. Ultimately, their contribution is crucial in generating this incredible energy within the stadium, which naturally gives us a significant boost.”
He added, “At halftime, our mindset was clear: ‘We’ve turned the game around, it’s 0-0 on aggregate, and that was our primary objective.’ Perhaps not everyone believed we could achieve it, but we proved them wrong.”
Regarding his record-breaking achievement, Grifo stated, “Naturally, you dedicate your entire career to reaching such milestones. It makes this evening even more extraordinary. There’s a tremendous sense of euphoria propelling us forward.”
