Matthias Ginter has won the FIFA World Cup with Germany and lifted silverware with Borussia Dortmund, but the Freiburg defender is arguably enjoying the best spell of his career in the Black Forest.
The veteran centre-back has seen his boyhood club blossom into European regulars over the past few seasons, first under Christian Streich, then under current head coach Julian Schuster. Ginter, though, feels Freiburg aren’t done yet, as he told the Bundesliga in an exclusive interview…
Bundesliga: You’ve enjoyed a close association with Freiburg since you were little, but you’ve also spent time at Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach. What’s different about everyday life here? What do you appreciate most at Freiburg after your stints at other clubs?
Matthias Ginter: “It’s little things. We also had success at Dortmund and Gladbach. I really enjoyed my time there too, but here… Let’s start with our new signings, for example. At other clubs, people are quick to judge new players really early. But here, new players – no matter how much they cost – are given time to settle in, integrate, get to know Freiburg’s system, style of play and philosophy.
“That’s a bit of a mundane example, but it gives you an idea of the stability at the club, including from the management. Obviously, things can be a bit more difficult elsewhere, and you look at yourself when things are going wrong, rather than the overall picture.
Watch: Freiburg 2-0 Union Berlin – Matchday 9 highlights
Freiburg 2-0 Union Berlin
“Here, with the people we have in charge, everyone knows they don’t need to fear for their job after two defeats. I’d say it’s a very good way of dealing with things – but that’s not to say that others don’t deal with things well.”
Bundesliga: What’s so special about your bond with Freiburg? You were born here, but what does it mean to represent the club and the city?
Ginter: “It’s really special. I used to go to the old stadium when I was young, initially with my parents, who had season tickets. Then, eventually, I started going by myself in the kids’ section. There were a lot of great moments, including for Freiburg’s youth teams.
“When I returned four-and-a-half years ago, I said I wanted to try and help with the development the club has undertaken over the past 10 to
Bundesliga: Long-time Freiburg head coach Christian Streich was at the club such a long time and laid the foundation for your success. What has stayed the same under Julian Schuster, what’s changed, and how come things have worked out so well?
Ginter: “Not much has changed, really. Obviously there are differences in how they do certain things. One’s a bit more emotional, the other’s a little more relaxed. Julian spent a long time here as a player before becoming a coach, which I think that was an advantage – he didn’t make any drastic changes.
“We’ve taken our game with the ball to a new level. There are more games now, and opponents will try to be more compact, especially when we’re at home. You maybe didn’t get that as much in the past, meaning the focus wasn’t necessarily on having the ball. Under Julian, we’re taking the next step in our development, using Freiburg’s principles as a foundation.”
Watch: Streich bids farewell after final game in charge
Watch: Tearful Christian Streich bids farewell after final home game
Bundesliga: You qualified for the UEFA Europa League in Julian’s first season, then reached the Europa League final and DFB Cup semi-finals last season. Now you’re third in the table and have made the best start to a season in Freiburg’s history. Is that all down to Julian, or have new signings also played a role?
Ginter: “They both have. Our basic formation has stayed the same. When you think of the key attributes of a Freiburg player, they always work hard and get stuck in. Julian has managed to build on that and leave his own mark, bringing in players who aren’t ‘typical’ Freiburg players. It’s a very good combination.”
Bundesliga: And what role do you play, as one of the more experienced members of the squad?
Ginter: “First and foremost, I try to perform on the pitch every three or four days. I think that has to come first. Those are the demands I set myself – just trying to deliver, perform and be a leader. Whenever I’m on the pitch, I try to repay the [coach’s] faith in me, as long as my legs and bones allow me to!”
Bundesliga: You’ve started every game this season, alongside Maximilian Eggestein. You’ve made 421 Bundesliga appearances and just played your 200th top-flight game for Freiburg. How much are you enjoying football right now? Is this the peak of your career?
Ginter: “It’s so much fun. I never used to think that experience plays such a big part in things, but I’m noticing how much that experience is helping me. I obviously had good spells at Dortmund and Gladbach, but I’d say the last few weeks and months have felt really good because of my experience. I just try to offer my two cents where I can.
“This calendar year, things have also been going really well at the other end of the pitch. It’s so much fun with all the lads. I’ll try to keep this up for as long as possible, even though I’m turning 33 in a couple of months. I’m not the youngest anymore, but I’m trying to stay fit as long as possible with proper training, recovery, nutrition – everything.”
Bundesliga: Back to Freiburg’s current form. These days, people talk about Freiburg being more awkward to face, and being a better team. Would you agree with that assessment?
Ginter: “I think we’re on the right track. What sets top teams apart is the ability to regularly pick up results in big games – to win them. I think we’ve done that at home against the big teams. We haven’t just been competitive, we’ve got wins too – apart from against Bayern Munich.
Bundesliga: And you recently beat Trabzonspor 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League…
Ginter: “That’s the final and most difficult step – being able to get results against top sides away from home. That’s maybe what we’re still missing – being able to win away from home and win tight games, like the [2-1 defeat] at Bayer Leverkusen, where we maybe shouldn’t have lost.
“Last season, we failed to get any points in our away games against teams who finished above us in the Bundesliga. We’re on the right track, though.”