The unbelievable story of Christian Groß

Veteran makes starting XI debut
The next chapter of an unbelievable story: Christian Groß in his first Bundesliga start against Union Berlin (Photo: nordphoto)
First Team
Sunday, 15.09.2019 / 09:00

Florian Kohfeldt looked back fondly when asked about Christian Groß’ first Bundesliga start. The 30-year-old has enjoyed a wild summer, which began only two-and-a-half months ago, on a day the coach “still remembers well.” It all started the day the coaching team named their squad for the training camp in Zillertal...

The U23’s captain and experienced defensive midfielder was called up to the first team at short notice in early July, as a replacement for one of the injured players. “We had planned to play him in holding midfield and we needed to use him for 90 minutes every game. We thought Grosso could manage it,” recalls Kohfeldt with a chuckle. Two-and-a-half months later, not only has Groß made his Bundesliga debut, but he has now also played a full 90 minutes at the ‘Stadion An der Alten Försterei’. “Playing at a stadium with an atmosphere like that was amazing. It’s like I was living out a fairytale. I’m lost for words,” said the Bremen native after the full-time whistle.

 

Füllkrug: “I am absolutely delighted for Grosso”

Florian Kohfeldt was delighted with the victory and Groß's performance (Photo: nordphoto).

He was an incredibly commanding presence in a completely new back four. “Grosso was really solid on the ball, created a lot of options and was extremely bold in his build-up play. He is fast, tough and good in the air,” praised Kohfeldt, who described Groß’s debut performance as “outstanding.” His teammate Niclas Füllkrug was also full of compliments. “I am absolutely delighted for Grosso. It was awesome the way he kept dribbling forward,” said the striker, who scored the winner in the 2-1 victory against Union.

Groß played every match in pre-season, repeatedly filling any gaps left by injuries. He improved from friendly to friendly and was rewarded with a competitive appearance in the DFB-Pokal against Atlas Delmenhorst, which the experienced 3. Liga player believed would be “a fitting climax” towards the end of his career. But it was not the end of this unbelievable tale, perhaps the most extraordinary story of a SV Werder player in recent years.

“It was brilliant. I am absolutely buzzing,” said the secret hero of Werder’s away win. Florian Kohfeldt had just one thing to add: “He has really surprised me.”

 

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