SC Freiburg began preparations for the new Bundesliga season with its first public training session on Sunday. Newcomers Mio Backhaus and Rihito Yamamoto were also there.
It was hot, very hot at the start of Freiburg’s training on Sunday morning. The thermometer showed around 30 degrees Celsius when the men’s team professionals and coach Julian Schuster took to the pitch at the Europa-Park stadium for the first time to prepare for the season. About 3,000 fans attended the gallop, most of them seated in the shaded main stand, well protected from the sun.
Warm-up, passing games and goalkeeper training were initially on the agenda for the 22 boys who took to the field in their new white away shirts. The sports club’s players had previously undergone routine sports medical examinations over the past few days.
New builds of Backhaus and Yamamoto in the spotlight
And of course, the gaze of the lapwings was turned primarily to the new arrivals. There was Mio Backhaus, the 22-year-old new goalkeeper signed from Werder Bremen for a rumored €12 million. In addition, Berkay Yilmaz, who returned from 1.FC Nürnberg, as well as Karl Steinmann and Ruven Tarnutzer from U23. Eren Dinkci, who was loaned to 1.FC Heidenheim in the second half of the season, also returned to the sports club.
Freiburg’s new goalkeeper Mio Backhaus
And the new Japanese Rihito Yamamoto also ran his first laps on the lush green turf of the arena in a white dress. The 24-year-old Japanese midfielder moved to Breisgau from Belgian first division club St. Truiden.
Five World Championship riders have not yet arrived
His compatriot Keisuke Goto (21) from Anderlecht, who was also recently signed, was not yet there. The tall centre-forward, most recently signed for Belgian side St. Truden, was part of Japan’s World Cup squad and is still on an extended holiday. The same goes for Freiburg’s third Japanese player Yuito Suzuki, Austrian Philipp Lienhart, Croatian Igor Matanovic and Swiss Johan Manzambi.
Manzambi before moving to England
Speaking of Manzambi, it is extremely doubtful that the 20-year-old World Cup star will ever play for a club again. Because Johan Manzambi is about to move to Newcastle United in England. A transfer fee of 60 million euros is being discussed. “The transfer can now be completed quickly,” SC sporting director Jochen Sayer said at a press conference at the start of training. In this case, the Freiburg team will definitely become active again in the player market.
Noah Atubolu with individual training
Noah Atubolu, who was ready for a change, was also absent from the Europa Park on Sunday. The 24-year-old goalkeeper, former Breisgau number one, trained separately.
His future remains unclear after rumors recently emerged of him being in contact with English clubs. “It may take him some time to change,” athletic director Sayer said, but they have “clear communication with each other” and are “confident” Noah Atubolu will find a new club soon.
Training camp is traditionally in Schruns
On July 22, Freiburg will traditionally go to a ten-day training camp in Schruns in Montafon. During this time, two test matches are planned against Derby County and Greuther Furth. It will become clear in the coming days whether Johan Manzambi and Noah Atubolu will remain with the sports club.
