Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo prepares for ‘wine toast’ with record-breaking teammate Christian Günter | OneFootball

SC Freiburg were able to commemorate a highly significant Europa League victory on Thursday night. One player hoping to commemorate a milestone will nevertheless have to wait a little while longer. Squad captain Christian Günter (32) remained on the bench throughout for the second consecutive fixture. Günter closes in on a club record. 

Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster – as has been the case increasingly more this season – has been turning to youngster Jordy Makengo at Günter’s right back position. Günter, who came up through the Freiburg ranks and has never represented another club since his professional debut, is one appearance away from surpassing Andreas Zeyer as the most featured player at the club. 

Günter has been working in the SCF academy since 2007. He made his first appearance with the senior team in December 2012. Since then, the Villingen-Schwenningen-native has made 441 SCF appearances. Freiburg – allowing themselves to count one 3. Liga appearance from Günter – are prepared to crown him the all-time record holder once he sets foot on the pitch. 

Günter will surpass midfielder Andreas Zeyer, who also made 441 appearances for Freiburg during two stints with the club in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Günter’s fellow club man Vincenzo Grifo (himself a #2 on the all-time club record charts behind legendary leading goal-scorer Nils Petersen) commented on the possibility of celebrating with Günter after Sunday’s Bundesliga fixture against St. Pauli.

“I hope he can celebrate on Sunday,” Grifo said of his close friend. “If he asks me to and wants me to have a glass of wine in the evening, then I’ll have two sips.“

GGFN | Peter Weis