Christian Streich vs. David Abraham: The clash and the consequences

Bundesliga

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It was amazing how quickly the mind had calmed down after this scene. The fact that he had recently been checked by the opposing captain David Abraham to the ground, Freiburg coach Christian Streich hinted at his game analysis only discreetly: "Then it was just hectic." He also asked the journalists to "make no big story out of it." But that the Frankfurt defender "can not do that", Streich already found.

Frankfurt coach Adi Hütter said he did not see the situation in this heated Bundesliga match. Maybe that was why there was no rebuke for his captain, his statement was at least: "Football lives on emotions."

In the end, though, it was a tough and unnecessary action. Abraham had defeated Freiburg coach at high speed - just before prank fell to the ground, Abraham pulled out his arm slightly. That certainly had little to do with the beautiful emotions of football.

But to fully understand the story, take a look at Prank. The Freiburg coach had let the ball that Abraham had run after, and then went half a step inside. You will not be able to say that Streich wanted this clash, but he did not stop him. Abraham, however, could end his sprint at any time or avoid it. This should also have prank and many expected in the stadium.

That referee Felix Brych sent Frankfurt's Abraham off the pitch was, of course, correct.

Hard defender, but not brutal

What's next? For Abraham probably with a ban of several games. The defender is considered a tough defender, who likes to work on the opposing striker, working with hidden fouls. However, his statistics speak against a professional with an over-the-top playing style: In his Bundesliga season since 2012, Abraham had previously flown off the pitch, in the two previous years he only saw two or three yellow cards.

On the other hand, shoulder pain should wait, more likely not. After all, he did stretching and other gymnastic exercises every morning, telling Prank, "It's not said that I'm always hurt right away." Not even when such a "young buffalo" bounces on a "54-year-olds".

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The other scenes of stoppage time should not forget the 24,000 spectators so fast. Fractions of a second after the collision, the entire Freiburger Bank rushed towards Abraham. Above all, the long-changed Vincenzo Grifo, who took Abraham in the face and was brought into the cabin when the first excitement had settled again. Unsuccessful: Referee Brych got him out of the cabin - and also showed him the red card.

After Frankfurt's Gelson Fernandes had already flown in the first half of the place, the game (the Freiburg won 1: 0) ended with three court referrals.

The question remains, why had it come to this nasty clash at all. Was it with Abraham the frustration that Streich had not caught the ball in the hectic stoppage time at the score of 1: 0 for Freiburg? Frankfurt manager Fredi Bobic said Abraham felt "provoked" without doing so. Streich said, "It's not my job to make the game fast."

Had there previously been verbal arguments, even insults? "Nonsense, nothing was," said Streich.

Abraham later apologized for the Frankfurt club media at Streich. He wanted to "bring the ball into play as quickly as possible" and "had to dodge." Now he is glad that after a conversation between Streich and him again "everything is good".

After the game you give yourself the hand @Eintracht pic.twitter.com/scLLmkKOBs

Later that evening, both clubs released a joint photo of Grifo and Abraham on Twitter. Easy smile with both players, handshake, all right again. Apparently, it was quickly agreed among the clubs, that one should not heat up the mood after the scenes of the final minute.

But there was one last little tip, though meant with a wink. "I thought you were a bit more stable," Abraham said to prank, the coach later said. An apology from Abraham was still on the pitch.