Fans keep European title dream alive after Jablonec victory

SC Freiburg supporters made their ambitions clear before Thursday evening’s 3-2 UEFA Conference League league-phase victory over FK Jablonec, unveiling a spectacular choreography in the FanKurve with the message “Der Traum vom Titel bleibt” – “The dream of a title lives on”.

The display carried particular significance given Freiburg’s historic run to last season’s Europa League final, which ended in a 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa in Istanbul. The 2027 Conference League final is scheduled for 2 June at the very same venue, Beşiktaş Stadium, offering the Schwarzwaldverein an opportunity for unfinished business should another journey to Istanbul materialise.

Schuster: it’s a dream, not an objective

Speaking at his post-match press conference, head coach Julian Schuster welcomed the supporters’ enthusiasm while stressing the distinction between ambition and immediate targets.

“It’s a dream, not an objective,” Schuster explained. “I think there’s a big difference between that and me standing there saying: ‘Objective: the final. Here we come.’”

“What an incredible choreography. Thank you very much,” Schuster continued. “I only caught it in passing. I think the amount of time that went into preparing this choreography must have been immense.”

Schuster said the supporters were entitled to maintain ambitious expectations.

“That whole message is completely fine. It’s perfectly fine for the fans to see things that way,” the Freiburg trainer said. “I haven’t met anyone who’s told me that I should think about the final every single day so that we can get there again. If there’s someone out there who can give me advice on that, I’m always open to it.”

He kept focus on the present.

“For us, it was important to take the first step today with a home victory,” Schuster explained. “Even if we only look at our next international matches, there are exciting challenges waiting for us. That made it all the more important to collect the first three points today.”

Grifo moved by the display

Veteran attacker Vincenzo Grifo offered a heartfelt response to the choreography in the mixed zone.

“It was wonderful,” Grifo said. “Just the way it looked was another goosebumps moment. It never gets old, no matter how old you are. I’ve experienced a lot, but something like that always brings joy.”

Asked whether the prospect of returning to Istanbul provided extra motivation, Grifo was measured.

“It’s still a very long way off,” Grifo emphasized. “I think if we progress and have a good campaign here, then of course we’ll believe.”

For now the Freiburg faithful can celebrate a successful European evening and the first three points of their Conference League campaign. Whether another remarkable continental journey awaits remains to be seen, but the dream of a European title remains very much alive in the Breisgau.