Noah Atubolu: “We can be proud”

SC Freiburg’s goalkeeper spoke about Olivier Giroud’s penalty-kick and his club’s progression to the Round of 16 in the Europa League.

SC Freiburg are automatically through to the Round of 16 in the Europa League despite a late defeat in Lille, which ended their unbeaten run. Substitute Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as the visitors had to play the last 15 minutes with ten men.

“I’m extremely annoyed that we conceded a penalty in the 92nd minute,” said Noah Atubolu in an interview with RTL after the game. The goalkeeper miraculously saved five successive penalties in the Bundesliga, but he was beaten by the 39-year-old striker.

“He (Giroud) took it well and stayed calm, but I simply would have liked to have saved it,” added the German international before turning his focus on Freiburg securing a Round of 16 spot. “Despite everything, we finished in 7th place. We can be proud of that.

“It was very important that we also managed to avoid a few midweek fixtures and have more time to work in the training ground.”