Bundesliga
Streich’s declaration of love to Hoffenheim’s keeper Baumann
Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann has already played 400 games in the Bundesliga. photo
© Federico Gambarini/dpa
For Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann, games against his ex-club SC Freiburg are already routine. This time, however, Christian Streich made something like a toast to the native of Breisgau.
His 400th Bundesliga game, including the 100th without conceding a goal – no wonder goalkeeper Oliver Baumann from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim received praise from all sides after the 0-0 draw against SC Freiburg.
The warmest words came from Christian Streich, who has known the 32-year-old from his time in Freiburg (2009 to 2014). The SC coach took a deep breath at the press conference after the game when asked about Baumann.
Declaration of love from Freiburg’s cult trainer
“He’s an extraordinary personality. He hasn’t changed at all – despite his great successes. He’s a great goalkeeper, but what’s even more important is that he’s such a great person,” explained Streich. “It’s always great to see him when we play against each other. We don’t talk much. That’s enough if we look at each other and hug each other. It’s so warm and so good. We have to concentrate, me I can’t babble on him when he has to defend the goal.”
Streich also included Baumann’s wife in his declaration of love: “It’s a particularly good feeling. To be able to meet such people again and again is a gift.” André Breitenreiter, coach of Baumann in Hoffenheim since this season, obviously didn’t have that much to say about his captain: “What can I say? He’s just a fantastic person, great goalkeeper, great guy.”
Among the current players, only Bayern aces Manuel Neuer (472) and Thomas Müller (421) have more Bundesliga appearances than Baumann. Like Freiburg keeper Mark Flekken, the TSG goalkeeper kept the 0-0 lead in the Baden duel for his team. Hoffenheim is now fourth in the table for the two-week international break, Freiburg even third behind 1. FC Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund. The Europa League participant is now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions.
Baumann: “Bock” on the national team
Three days after the 3-0 win at Olympiakos Piraeus, Streich was again “very, very satisfied” with the performance of his team: “It’s a great pleasure to work with them.” Baumann was initially not able to do much with the goalless draw in front of 24,233 spectators at the end of the seventh matchday (“It wasn’t that great for the spectators”), but he praised his team: “The start of the season is good. I think there’s a lot going on there.”
Despite all the compliments and the recent visit by national coach Hansi Flick to Sinsheim, Baumann is not allowed to travel with the national team during the international match week. The Hoffenheimer, who was already part of the DFB selection, is not nominated for the Nations League games against Hungary and in England. The three goalkeeper positions have been taken by Neuer, Marc-André ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp. Does he still see chances for the World Cup? “Other people are welcome to judge my chances. In principle, of course, I’d be in the mood,” said Baumann.
Squad TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Squad SC Freiburg Schedule Soccer Bundesliga Table Soccer Bundesliga Baumann portrait on Hoffenheim’s homepage