Talking tactics with Vincenzo Grifo

bundesliga.com: The team's training camp here in Austria is almost over, how have you found the pre-season preparations so far?

Vincenzo Grifo: It was very good. We've been here in Schruns every year: The pitch is good, the hotel, the food, the rooms—everything is top-notch. As a team, we've grown even closer. We've brought in a few new players, and they've integrated really well—we've gained some really good characters. 

We're well on our way to becoming a unit. We're already a close-knit group with experienced players who have been playing together for a long time. There's a good mix of young and old. Our training camp was very positive.

bundesliga.com: Freiburg travel to the same venue every year, which is unusual for Bundesliga teams. What makes Schruns special?

Grifo: The training camp is there to ensure we have plenty of training time and the conditions are right, and that's just what we get here. For me, it's also a bit like coming home. This is my eighth or ninth time here and it's always the same routine. You know the schedule and everyone here is very friendly. We all feel at home here—it makes life a lot easier for us. Seeing something different for a change wouldn't be a bad idea, but so far, we've done very well by prioritising preparation above everything else.

bundesliga.com: With six new signings, Freiburg have made a strong start to the transfer window. What's your impression of the new signings so far?

Grifo: Everyone brings something extraordinary and plays to their strengths superbly. Freiburg always put a lot of thought into who they sign and who they don't. Like every year, they've brought in players who fit our team very well. I'm very happy about our new signings; they're doing really well.

Watch: Grifo's best Bundesliga goals 

bundesliga.com: You've been Freiburg's top scorer almost every year for a while now, will that still be the case this season despite all the competition?

Grifo: I'm pushing myself as much as I can. But ultimately, of course, it's about the team. I want to give my best, be in top shape, and train well. I'm very motivated to be top scorer again next season. But if it's someone else, I don't have a problem with that either – that helps us as a team. I want to get as much playing time as possible. I'm humble and open with myself. The most important thing is that I stay healthy and play as many games as possible.

bundesliga.com: Your ability from set-pieces usually helps you score, how did you master the art of dead ball situations?

Grifo: We simply have a good rhythm and good habits in our team, and we practice them continuously. We're very focused on the fact that set pieces have become very important for every team, set pieces can be the game-opener! That's why we've decided to be very good at them and why our work with set pieces is perhaps a step ahead of the other teams.

Watch: Freiburg win 2024/25 Milka Fair Play of the Season award

bundesliga.com: Your set-piece expertise could certainly be of use to the Italian national team next summer, don't you think?

Grifo: Who knows, maybe that could happen! (laughs) Italy now has a new coach, Gennaro Gattuso, so perhaps a door will open, also because I'm playing European football again. It's important to me that I always give my all, spend a lot of time on the pitch, and perform well. Perhaps then the moment will come when I'll be called up again.

bundesliga.com: So you'd like to come up against some Italian opponents in the Europa League then?

Grifo: Yes, absolutely! Rome and Bologna are involved, so that would be a wish of mine.

Watch: Grifo at the double for Freiburg against Werder Bremen

bundesliga.com: Which Bundesliga opponent are you particularly looking forward to playing against this season?

Grifo: I don't have a favorite, but Cologne and Hamburg are two really great new stadiums. There's always an incredibly great atmosphere at Bayern Munich too, and the same goes for HSV. I'm looking forward to playing there again this season.

bundesliga.com: Which game do you especially want to win next season?

Grifo: In Borussia Dortmund! We've never been able to win there, that's missing. We've done it in Munich before, but never at BVB.

bundesliga.com: What was the best game of your career?

Grifo: Of course, my first game with the national team was something very special for me. Being able to wear the number 10 for Italy, and then of course, the 2022 DFB Cup final with Freiburg. The 5-0 win against Werder Bremen last season was also really good because a lot of crazy things happened there: Kiliann Sildillia scored with an overhead kick, I scored a free kick,  Noah Atubolu saved a penalty. Everything went well for us. During the coronavirus pandemic at Borussia Mönchengladbach, when we were leading 6-0 at half-time, that was also crazy.

bundesliga.com: And which goal was the most beautiful?

Grifo: My free-kick goal against Greuther Fürth in the Bundesliga 2 season was very good. When we beat Wolfsburg 3-2 at home in 2021/22, I scored a free-kick and then a beautiful volley. That same season, I also scored a very nice goal against Dortmund, where I scored a free-kick from 29 meters against Gregor Kobel.

bundesliga.com: All of these moments came at home for Freiburg, a club where things have gone particularly well for you. What makes the sports club so special?

Grifo: This city, these fans, this club. It gives me a lot of strength; it's simply special. The team always has my back, which also strengthens me. I feel safe and comfortable here and I enjoy going to training every day; that's the key point for me.

The coaching staff also makes a difference. I didn't have a bad relationship with my coaches at Hoffenheim and Gladbach either, but when the coaches knew how to handle me and gave me some freedom, it always worked best.

bundesliga.com: Are you still in contact with Christian Streich?

Grifo: I recently congratulated him on his 60th birthday, and it was a great conversation. He wished us much success for the new season and hoped to see us again soon.

bundesliga.com: What distinguishes your old mentor from the new head coach Julian Schuster?

Grifo: Even as a player, Schusti took on a lot of responsibility. He always knew how to motivate the team and which words to use in his speeches to get through to the team. He's continued that as a coach. We've also changed the game a little bit. We're on a very good path under Schusti, even with the new players in the squad.

He's also learned a lot from Streich. That you have to give it your all on the pitch to win games. Working off the ball is very important to him. Certain routines are still the same as before. It's all about the right mix. We had a great season last year and are trying to be at least as good this year.

Interview: Niklas Staiger