SC Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster has strongly defended his side’s aggressive, high-pressing strategy against Bayern Munich, insisting he will not abandon the club’s core philosophy despite suffering a defeat on Sunday.
Facing the Bundesliga giants, Freiburg refused to adopt a passive, defensive low-block, instead opting to press high and challenge Bayern on the front foot—a tactical risk that Schuster maintains was the right decision for his team’s identity.
Key Takeaways from Schuster’s Comments
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Sticking to Their Identity: Schuster made it clear that retreating into a passive defensive setup goes against Freiburg’s footballing culture.
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No Regrets Over Bold Tactics: While acknowledging the quality of opposition and the final result, the head coach emphasized that taking risks against top-tier opponents is essential for long-term growth.
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Refusing Passive Defending: Rather than setting up to “park the bus” and minimize damage, Schuster praised his squad’s courage to play proactive football against one of Europe’s top clubs.
“That’s Not Who We Are”
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining an active, proactive mindset regardless of the opponent, Schuster noted:
“That’s not who we are. Sitting back and just waiting for things to happen doesn’t fit our style or our values. We want to be brave, compete on equal terms, and challenge teams like Bayern directly.”
While Bayern capitalized on key moments to secure the victory, Schuster remains steadfast in his belief that sticking to Freiburg’s established, high-intensity principles will yield better results over the course of the Bundesliga season.