Julian Schuster’s quirky metaphors capture Freiburg’s Conference League glory

When the final whistle blew at the Şenol Güneş Stadium, a modest roar rose from the Freiburg faithful and the coach’s smile was as quiet as a cat on a sunny windowsill. Julian Schuster, the man who steered the Breisgau club into the Conference League knockout stage, chose a pair of strange analogies to sum up what his players had just achieved.

“It felt like the Black Sea was crashing against the walls of our heads,” Schuster said in the post‑match interview, a phrase that at first glance sounds more poetic than tactical. He went on to explain that the relentless pressure from Trabzonspor reminded him of a storm‑tossed sea, a force that could have capsized a weaker side in an instant.

But instead of sinking, Freiburg rode the surge. “Our lads were like gummy bears,” he added with a chuckle, “soft on the outside maybe, but you can’t break them when you chew.” The confectionery comparison, while whimsical, hit home: the German side displayed a surprising elasticity, absorbing blows, staying compact, and striking back with a decisive finish.

The decisive goal came in the 68th minute when forward Yuito Suzuki, the Japanese winger who has been the talk of the town after a slump, slipped through the defence and slotted the ball past the keeper. It was a moment of pure instinct – a gummy bear’s sudden snap – and it proved enough to seal a 1‑0 win that sent Freiburg into the next round.

Schuster, who took over the reins in the summer, praised his squad’s patience throughout the match. “We knew they would try to drown us with the wave of pressure, but we stayed buoyant. We kept our shape, we kept believing, and that’s why we survived.” He also highlighted the mental preparation that went into the game, noting that the team spent weeks studying video footage of Trabzonspor’s high‑pressing style, treating the opponent’s tactics like a storm to be forecasted and out‑maneuvered.

Beyond the metaphors, the victory marks a milestone for a club that has long been eclipsed by Germany’s bigger names. It’s the first time SC Freiburg has reached this stage of a European competition, and the triumph has injected a new surge of confidence into a side that has already been climbing the Bundesliga table.

When asked what lies ahead, Schuster’s answer was characteristically grounded. “We’ll enjoy this moment, but we won’t get comfortable. The next opponent will be another wave, and we’ll need to stay flexible – like gummy bears, remember?” He laughed, but the underlying message was clear: adaptability and resilience will be the club’s watchwords as they chase further European glory.