Freiburg hope for redemption in Europa League rematch with West Ham

DPA
·1 min read
Freiburg's Matthias Ginter reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern aMunich at Europa-Park Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
Freiburg's Matthias Ginter reacts during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern aMunich at Europa-Park Stadium. Tom Weller/dpa
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Freiburg defender Matthias Ginter hopes his team has learned something from the two Europa League defeats to West Ham in the group stage before facing the English side again on Thursday in the first leg of last 16.

"They are a top team, especially offensively. It will be important that we defend well and compactly," he said in a news conference on Wednesday ahead of the home game.

"It gives me a bit of courage that we still had our chances, especially in the home game against West Ham, even though we didn't play well in the first half," Ginter said referring to the group stage matches.

Freiburg lost 2-1 at home and were defeated 2-0 in London.

Coach Christian Streich added: "On a very good day, we can defy West Ham. And that's what we want to do tomorrow."

"What's important for us is that we don't allow ourselves to be pushed back. That we are brave, like against Bayern Munich. That we don't let ourselves be intimidated," Streich said.

Last Friday, Freiburg secured a 2-2 draw with Bundesliga champions Bayern with a goal in the 87th minute.