With seven moves in seven years, it would be easy to see Vincenzo Grifo as a Bundesliga craftsman. But look a little deeper and returns with Hoffenheim and now Freiburg is hinting at a player whose environment is important for his form.
“We all feel very comfortable,” he told DW in an interview. “It’s a great atmosphere and we enjoy it a lot: our fans, the city, everyone loves Freiburg. And everyone who lives here really supports us. When they see you in the city they are all very friendly and really supportive … the characters are very, very good, so you can work very well here. “
Grifo originally joined the Black Forest team in 2015 from Hoffenheim and helped them win promotion to the first division with 14 goals and 15 assists in 31 league appearances. The following season, Freiburg finished seventh in the Bundesliga and qualified for the Europa League.
However, the 28-year-old would not be part of the club’s fourth European campaign, as his vision, ability to set up and his eye for goals persuaded Borussia Monchengladbach to pay around € 6 million ($ 6.7 million) for his signing. in May 2017.
Neither this move nor a brief return to Hoffenheim worked, although Griffo managed to play in the Champions League and make his international debut for Italy (his parents’ home) during his time at Sinsheim. None of this was very right though.
No place like home
“I need the atmosphere, I need the proximity, the boys, the coaching staff knows me [at Freiburg]”, He added. “And I know myself. The most important thing is just that I can continue to evolve here and that I want to become an even better player.
“There is also the role of the coach, the coaching staff and the boys, of course, who give me a lot of strength and support and make me feel at home.”
This coach, Christian Streich, is one of the many links to Grifo’s first season at the club, having been sustained despite Freiburg relegation the season before Grifo arrived. Straich is entering his eleventh year as head of a club by far. Freiburg’s scenic environment, environmental credentials, the university and the down-to-earth nature of Streich and his team have made them admire both for their sporting culture and for their consistent ability to hit the weight on the court.
“We have a great coach who is very hungry, who has been coaching the Bundesliga for a long time, ten years, and he just knows how to deal with the players,” said Grifo.
“He is someone who always wants to make every player better, no matter how old he is, whether he is 19, 28 or 30, who always wants to get the most out of you. He also leads the way and sets a good example, so we children we just want to get the best out of ourselves. “
Slowly and steadily
Griffo certainly managed to find something close to his best form this season, scoring 10 goals and seven assists in 30 appearances, as Freiburg remained in contention for the Champions League and reached the semifinals of an open German Cup. His last two hits, a registered foul and a superb volley against Wolfsburg on Saturday, secured Freiburg 10 points in their last four games.
He also contributed to some impressive wins earlier in the season, including a foul to open the scoring in a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund and a pair of assists in a stunning 6-0 win over Gladbach in December.
While the Berlin Union’s fellow underdogs have lost a touch, Freiburg remains long on the hunt for European seats. Griffo said he was “hungry” to continue to overtake Freiburg, but did not think it was time to dream of European football, or even a possible recall to the Italian team for the Qatar World Cup.
“The most important thing is to just concentrate in Freiburg and do your job here. Then you might take the opportunity to go with him to the World Cup,” said the German-born midfielder, who has chosen to represent the European champions at the international scene.
“But, as I said, I’m totally focused on the project, trying to do well. I’m on the right track there. But of course I’ll be happy if they want to call me.”
While Italy may be his parents’ country and Germany his birthplace, there is no doubt that it is Freiburg where Vincenzo Grifo feels more at home right now.
Interview by Stephan Sfregola
Edited by Jonathan Harding
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