Vincenzo Grifo: "We're allowed to dream" | OneFootball

Vincenzo Grifo on Freiburg's UEFA Champions League dream, his experiences with cyberbullying and more

Vincenzo Grifo has experienced the lows of relegation and losing a DFB Cup final along with the highs of getting promoted and playing in Europe with his beloved Freiburg. With the Black Forest club only three points outside the top four heading into the business end of 2024/25, the Italian talisman has told bundesliga.com that a first UEFA Champions League qualification is a distinct possibility...

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bundesliga.com: Are Freiburg dreaming of qualifying for the Champions League?

Vincenzo Grifo: "Yes, I think dreaming is allowed. We told ourselves before the season that we really wanted to get off to a good start. Of course, we wanted to collect as many points as possible, and naturally, with the new coach, we also wanted to play a somewhat different style of football. Now here we are, with over 40 points and eight weeks left. Everything is happening so fast, and now we can sit here and think perhaps something like that is actually possible. I think you all know our philosophy and how we talk about these things. We don’t really have the Champions League in our sights like that. We also know that there are still many points to be won - or lost - in the next eight weeks. That’s our focus: taking each game as it comes, like the one in Mainz, and giving 100%. We try to play good football, and if we are still in contention in the last three or four weeks of the season, then we will go for it. A lot can still be lost over the next few weeks though, and that’s why we are sticking to our approach."

Watch: Vincenzo Grifo scored twice in Freiburg's 5-0 win over Bremen on Matchday 23

Grifo helped Freiburg hold third-placed Mainz to a goalless draw prior to the March international break. (IMAGO/Grant Hubbs)

bundesliga.com: Have Freiburg sometimes shown too much public restraint and then often missed big goals in the cup and European competitions?

Grifo: "Yes, maybe that is what we need. As you mentioned, in the [2021/22] cup final, we were so close to lifting the trophy. We narrowly missed out on making the Champions League. Then, a year later, we had two games where we lost momentum. I still remember the game against Union Berlin. I think that’s always the danger—when you maybe get a little too comfortable and everyone around you keeps telling you how good you are. That’s when you might lose one or two percent of your edge, and that must not happen to us. It should not happen. I am quite sure that no one in our team thinks that way, but it might creep into the subconscious sometimes. What is incredibly important is that we stay hungry, that we have the desire to succeed, and that we want to prove to ourselves that we can compete with the big teams. That is a goal we all share. We didn’t expect to be in such a strong position this season because it brought many challenges—the coaching change, many new players, and the evolution of the club. In the end, we have handled it brilliantly with the way we play—always with a very positive approach. I think that’s what we should stick to."

bundesliga.com: It is striking that clubs that don't tend to attract too many headlines, like Freiburg, Mainz and Augsburg, are currently on strong runs. Does long-term stability within a club pay off?

Grifo: "Perhaps. There are so many teams with incredible quality - look at [Borussia] Dortmund, [RB] Leipzig, or [Bayer] Leverkusen. Even they go through rough patches in a season. That’s normal. We are all human, and it happens. We have good phases and bad phases. After Christmas, we went through a rough period, and everyone was asking what’s wrong with Freiburg? Then, five weeks later, we had gone five games unbeaten, kept clean sheets in all of them, and suddenly the narrative changed. Football has such a fine line between success and failure. We understand that. Of course, it’s nice to see clubs like us, Augsburg, and Mainz doing well because it shows what we can achieve when we give everything. Maybe we don’t have the same quality as Bayern [Munich], Leverkusen, Leipzig, or Dortmund, but we can still challenge the big teams. That shows the determination we have - not just compared to Mainz or Augsburg, but within ourselves. We focus on our own path, and right now, we are all pulling in the same direction with great hunger. That’s the key to success."

Grifo is set to make his 300th competitive appearance for Freiburg on Bundesliga Matchday 27. (IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK)

bundesliga.com: How did the club and team manage the transition from the Christian Streich era to Julian Schuster so smoothly?

Grifo: "Everyone has been pulling together—from the fans to the top of the club, from the players starting to those on the bench. There is a great atmosphere, and that has always been our strength. That’s the only way to be successful. Of course, the time with Christian Streich was outstanding. He left a big legacy here. Being his successor is not easy, but Julian Schuster is doing an excellent job. He brings both ambition and calmness, and he has the full support of all of us - the team, his coaching staff, and, of course, the fans. That has always been the case in Freiburg. Even when things don’t go well, people here don’t turn against you. Instead, they cheer you on and support you. That’s what makes this club so special, and that’s why we can continue to be successful."

bundesliga.com: What defines Julian Schuster’s football philosophy?

Grifo: "The most significant aspect is how we play off the ball. We were already strong in that area under Christian Streich, and I think we’ve maintained that this year. We have also tried to improve our play on the ball - not that it was worse under Streich, because we also had great moments of football under him.  Schuster has made a few adjustments though, particularly in positioning and counter-pressing. We have worked hard to implement these ideas, and that has paid off. That’s why we have so many points right now. In tough away games like Bochum, we managed to win because of our individual quality. It’s all about finding the right balance."

bundesliga.com: You and your team have missed a couple of penalties recently. What is the reason for that?

Grifo: "I think you shouldn’t overthink it too much. It’s normal that goalkeepers study you more closely over time, which makes things more difficult. They analyze your penalty history, watch videos, and that makes it harder. I think I had taken 28 or 29 penalties, and 27 of them were successful, and I only missed one or two—that’s an incredible record. Then you have a phase where you miss one or two. The last one I missed was my fault—I didn’t strike it the way I usually do. I tried to outguess the goalkeeper instead, and it didn’t work. The other two misses—well, these things happen. These phases make you stronger. It had been three years since I last missed a penalty, so of course it felt a bit strange. My father always told me that even the greatest players - [Lionel] Messi, [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Pelé, [Diego] Maradona - have all missed penalties. I don’t want to compare myself to them, of course, but if they can miss penalties, then so can I. It’s just part of football. I’m sure the time will come again when all of them go in."

bundesliga.com: Even when you've missed penalties or lost games this season, the fans haven't criticised you. Where does this loyalty come from?

Grifo: "While everything has become a bit bigger now, it has always been the case in Freiburg. Those who played in the Dreisam Stadium know it - back then, we always had euphoria. There was a certain aura. Opponents didn’t like coming to play against us. That’s something we definitely wanted to carry over to the Europa-Park Stadium. I truly believe we’ve succeeded in doing that. It was also very important to Christian Streich because over the years, he saw what was possible for a small club against big clubs in a stadium that gives you so much energy. I believe the last three or four years have been very successful, and our fans always give us power before every game. Even when we go through a bad phase, they are there for us. They don’t just hit us over the head with a hammer but support us, no matter what phase we are in."

bundesliga.com: Julian Schuster often tells his players about former president Achim Stocker, who used to personally sweep the street outside the stadium after matches. How do modern professionals react to that?

Grifo: "Well, I joined in 2015, and by then, things were already a bit more modern. When you hear such stories about Achim Stocker, it’s incredible what the guys built here. Thanks to them, we are here today. We always try to take in such things and keep them in mind, even as the club grows. When there is more success, there is the temptation of seeing that as normal. We try to see it the other way around, that nothing is taken for granted. We cherish such memories because they bring us together and show what kind of atmosphere and togetherness exists here. This sense of unity and this "we" feeling always stands above everything else."

bundesliga.com: How will Freiburg handle the international break and how are they preparing for the next Bundesliga game against Union Berlin?

Grifo: "It's important to recover a bit and to take things down a notch, but not too much. That’s why we usually have friendly matches planned to stay in rhythm. We’ll probably have two or three days off to enjoy time with our families, maybe travel a little, do whatever we feel like. When we come back, we have to be at a good level again, ready for the final eight weeks of the season. We’ll face Union Berlin next - on Sunday - and we’re already looking forward to it. I think this break is important both for those who have played a lot and those who haven’t played as much. Some need match practice, and others need proper recovery, so we are ready for the final stretch. Union play with a lot of emotion, give everything on the pitch, and put their heart into it. Breaking down their defensive wall means looking for gaps and opportunities, and every chance you get must be taken."

bundesliga.com: Your brother often shares an anecdote about why you made it to the Bundesliga. What’s the story?

Grifo: "I think I was 16 or 17. We were in our room, we had trained that day, had eaten and were just getting ready to relax. My brother asked if I wanted to play PlayStation, and then we started getting ready for bed. Suddenly, I had this feeling - I wasn’t tired enough. So, I put on my ankle weights and went for a run. My brother couldn’t believe it. He asked if I had lost my mind, going for a jog after training when we were about to wind down. Sometimes you have those moments. It’s a great story, but back then, I just wanted to improve. I was at an age where I thought I wanted to do more than the others, to be ahead of my teammates, to be fitter. Now I have almost 300 Bundesliga appearances for Freiburg. That’s a great feeling - to see that hard work pays off. It shows that if you have the will, you can achieve a lot."

bundesliga.com: What has been your experience with hostility on social media?

Grifo: "It’s not a good experience when, after missing a penalty, you receive messages on social media - Instagram, Facebook, or elsewhere - insulting you from all sides. As a professional footballer, I can handle it. With my experience, I know it comes with the territory, and I can ignore it. But it becomes disgraceful when my family gets involved - when my wife or my brother receive messages. They have nothing to do with it, and yet they are insulted. That is absolutely unacceptable. I think we are on a very, very wrong path."

bundesliga.com: You have even received death threats—how shocking was that?

Grifo: "Yes, it’s disgraceful when, after missing a penalty, people write to you saying, "Die", or "You’re useless", or "Because of you, I lost money". These things go way beyond the line. Football is a sport where you are allowed to make mistakes. Mistakes are part of it. You have to accept that. Some people seem to take out their personal frustrations on us; on me, my wife, or my family. That is not something that is nice."

bundesliga.com: How did you personally feel about the abuse?

Grifo: "Personally, I’m a very stable person when it comes to these things; I have a lot of confidence. I don't mind if someone wants to come to me face-to-face and say these things. Of course, the problem with social media is that they are all anonymous; you never know who is behind those messages, which make things a lot more difficult. I think 99 out of 100 people wouldn’t have the courage to say the things they write to your face. Unfortunately, it’s the family that suffers, like my wife - she’s not used to this. She wonders, 'What do my kids have to do with this? What does my family have to do with my husband missing a penalty?'"

bundesliga.com: Has the abuse affected you as a player?

Grifo: "I believe it should not affect a footballer at all because the more you think about it, the worse it gets. It does not influence me, at least. I do not know how it is for others, but when you take a penalty or any other shot, you make a decision with full conviction. Then you have to live with the fact that there will be criticism. I am someone who can always be criticized, no problem. But, of course, it becomes really nasty when you receive death threats or insults, or when it affects your children or other personal matters. That is something you simply should not have to tolerate. I can handle it. I know how to deal with it and face it with confidence. Maybe others cannot. That is not a nice situation."

bundesliga.com: Would you take another penalty with a cheeky chip shot down the middle?

Grifo: "Absolutely. Right away."

bundesliga.com: What would you like to say to your haters face-to-face?

Grifo: "I would really like to ask them how they are doing, or if they might need some help. I believe that anyone who has played football, even in an amateur league in front of 10 or 20 spectators, knows that it is not easy to take a penalty or convert a chance. Everyone is human, everyone makes mistakes, and everyone is allowed to miss sometimes. So, I would like to ask them what has gone wrong in their own lives. Maybe some people only have football and nothing else to focus on, and perhaps that is the root cause of why someone becomes so desperate to write such comments. In the end, it is this anonymity, this hiding, that makes it easier for them. You do not know who they are, they have no profile picture, you cannot engage with them, you do not know where they live. That makes it all easier. Then it is, of course, easy to say, hey, do this or that better. In reality, they have probably never been in that situation themselves and cannot even begin to understand what it is like to stand over the ball or face a crucial moment."

bundesliga.com: How important is it that the Bundesliga raises its voice against hate on social media?

Grifo: "Very important. We are role models, and we also want to show that people cannot just do whatever they want. We are human beings, and we always try our best. We would always love to achieve maximum success, but it simply does not always work out. That is why I believe it is important to speak out against such things. You do not want to have to speak out every single week about who wrote what or why this or that happened. You do not want to come across as constantly complaining. When things cross the line, though, then I do believe you should speak up so that people understand - so that even if it is just one person who realizes, okay, these guys do not deserve this; they are allowed to make mistakes - then you have achieved something."

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