Schuster tells Freiburg to hit 'reset button' despite first-leg lead
Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster gestures on the touchline during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and SC Freiburg at Mewa Arena. Torsten Silz/dpa Freiburg coach Julian Schuster is not taking anything for granted despite being 3-0 up going into their Europa League quarter-final second leg at Celta Vigo. The Germans have never been this far before in European competition and success on Thursday would open the door to Black Forest dreams of overall glory in Istanbul on May 20.
Winning the Europa League offers a spot in the Champions League proper, something Freiburg - eighth domestically - have never achieved. But Schuster is not even thinking about a semi-final with Real Betis or Braga yet, let alone a final. "We have taken an important first and big step - but nothing more," the birthday boy, 41, told a news conference on Wednesday.
"The key is to hit the reset button after such wins. "You can imagine with what focus, with what energy and with what belief 11 players will be standing opposite us on the pitch. " Freiburg midfielder Johan Manzambi is fit after a knock.
Celta boss Claudio Giráldez knows his side have a tough ask to turn the tie around, even at home. "There will always be mistakes, but we'll have to be perfect or close to it to come back from behind. We know what we didn't do well in the first leg and what we need to improve on," he said.