Freiburg celebrate young ‘box-to-box maestro’ Johan Manzambi | OneFootball

Freiburg prospect Johan Manzambi followed up his first Bundesliga goal last week with a very impressive performance in his first Bundesliga start yesterday. The 19-year-old garnered quite a bit of attention in the German press this week after scoring a dramatic late winner against Bochum last weekend. It wasn’t long on Saturday before the Switzerland U20 international claimed his first league assist.

Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster coped with the suspension of lead striker Junior Adamu by moving Lucas Höler up to the nine position and having Manzambi start at ten. It worked out perfectly. A filthy slick back heel from the teenager helped set-up Höler’s opening goal in the 28th minute. An overall strong box-to-box performance from Manzambi helped Freiburg defeat visiting TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3-2.

Schuster swooned over his player afterwards.

“He thrived in the position just as we wanted him to,” Schuster remarked at the post match press conference. “With the ball, he’s just very flexible. He can drop back. He can play as a six, but he can also press up.“

Manzambi was not fixed to one position, but moved flexibly between the nine, ten and eight positions both in pressing and build-up play. The teenage talent repeatedly triggered the press cleverly, covering a lot of ground and winning important balls defensively in his own third.

In attack, he impressed with his technique, game intelligence, and courageous direct duels.

“I don’t have to commit myself,” Schuster answered with a laugh when asked what Manzambi’s best position might be. “That’s what makes him so special.“

GGFN | Peter Weis