Bruno Ogbus has found minutes with Switzerland Under-21s after a difficult opening to the season at SC Freiburg. The 20-year-old centre-back played the full match in a 5-0 European Championship qualifying win over Luxembourg.
It was a useful 90 minutes for a defender who has barely featured for Freiburg so far. Ogbus has made only one appearance this season, playing 12 minutes in the Conference League qualifier against Motherwell.
Quick facts
- Ogbus, 20, completed 90 minutes for Switzerland Under-21s against Luxembourg.
- Switzerland won the European Championship qualifier 5-0.
- He played 18 Bundesliga matches for Freiburg last season.
- He has not appeared in Freiburg’s first four league fixtures this term.
- Alexander Frei remains in regular contact with Freiburg coach Julian Schuster.
Last season, Ogbus had established himself for a period in Freiburg’s central defence. This campaign has been different, with no Bundesliga action through the opening four matchdays.
“I do not know exactly why,” Ogbus said of his situation. “I have to keep working on myself and stay at it. I am convinced that my chance will come again.”
The Switzerland Under-21 camp has provided a timely rhythm reset. Ogbus said the Luxembourg game had helped him after his limited club involvement.
“It was good to get minutes again,” he said. “It was enjoyable simply to play football again. It was a good win and a good team performance.”
Under-21 coach Alexander Frei does not see a lack of quality behind the Freiburg defender’s current absence. He pointed instead to the level of competition at a club sitting third in the table.
“Bruno is an excellent centre-back,” Frei said. “At the moment he has a little bad luck because Freiburg are third in the standings.”
Frei said he knows how highly Schuster rates Ogbus. The former Switzerland striker believes international matches can keep the defender sharp until another opening emerges in Freiburg’s squad.
“The more he plays for us, the more it helps him keep his match rhythm,” Frei said. “He has such quality that it is only a matter of time before he returns to the Freiburg team.”
