The wound between the eyes was stapled, the right foot bandaged. Reaching the round of 16 in the DFB Cup left its mark on national player Matthias Ginter from SC Freiburg. He reminded him of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was also badly marked at the time, in the German triumph in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina, said SC striker Michael Gregoritsch about his teammate.
For coach Christian Streich, after the hard-fought 2-1 after extra time over second division FC St. Pauli on Wednesday, it was "symbolic for the team how Matze fought his way through." Thanks to an energetic performance, the Freiburg team, who rotated properly this time due to their constant exertion, continue to be involved in all three competitions. Possibly without Ginter for the time being.
"It's a bit thick. I hope it's not anything," said the 28-year-old after the game, looking down at his ankle. The time until the next home game in the Bundesliga against SV Werder Bremen on Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky) is running.
Against St. Pauli, after twisting his foot, Ginter couldn't think of it in the closing stages. "It wasn't enough for the back, but it was still possible to get in at the front," said the central defender, who had acted as a striker in the last few minutes, with a smile. He stood more than he walked. But he decisively passed the ball on to the winning goal scorer Gregoritsch (119th minute). After the goal in extra time (90. 3) it was Ginter's second scorer point that evening.
"He's an outstanding guy," said Gregoritsch of the defender, who returned to his homeland from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer and has since played all the competitive games over the full distance. "He's incredibly important to us - as a player and in the dressing room. He never loses his nerve, that's always clear. That's something very special."
Just like the Freiburg season so far. Three days after the 0:5 bankruptcy at FC Bayern Munich, they had struggled for a long time and had to suffer against the tough second division side St. Pauli. But they prevented "another blow to the neck," as Ginter put it. Just like in the Europa League, in which they are already safely in the knockout phase, last year's finalists from Breisgau are wintering in the cup again. And against Werder we now have to defend third place in the league - with or without Ginter.
