Manuel Friedrich
Encyclopedia
Manuel Friedrich is a German
footballer who plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen as a central defender.
, which he had joined in 1995 – the club was then in the second division
. However, he had to wait until 26 February 2000 to make his competition debut, in a home match against FC Energie Cottbus.
In the following two seasons, Friedrich was a defensive stalwart, netting an astonishing eight goals (no penalties
) in the latter, as Mainz finished fourth, just one point shy of promotion.
Those stellar performances attracted attention from the top level
, and Friedrich signed with SV Werder Bremen
, but his time there would be anything but successful, as he only appeared once in the league in two years combined, the final seven minutes of the 4–1 home triumph against FC Schalke 04
, on 23 August 2003; in that second season, he also made 13 appearances with two goals for the reserve squad
, in Regionalliga Nord; 2002–03 had already been totally lost to an anterior cruciate ligament
injury.
In late January 2004, Friedrich returned to Mainz, still contributing with 17 matches en route to promotion. On 23 May, he scored one of four goals in the league, netting the second in the decisive 3–0 home win against SV Eintracht Trier 05
on the final day of the season (promotion attained on goal difference
). In the following three seasons combined, he rarely missed a game, adding four goals, but Mainz would be relegated in 2007.
In July 2007, Friedrich moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, continuing to be an everpresent defensive unit, and contributing – early in his first campaign – to consecutive home wins against Karlsruher SC
(3–0) and VfL Bochum
(2–0). He scored ten league goals in his first three seasons combined.
Friedrich could only appear in 19 games in 2010–11
due to injury, with Leverkusen finishing in second position and qualifying
to the UEFA Champions League
. In that competition, on 23 November 2011, he headed home in the last-minute
to help the hosts come from behind against Chelsea
to win it 2–1.
's squad for a friendly match against the United States
, thus becoming the first Mainz player to ever represent the national side. However, he did not receive any playing time in the match and was not part of the 23-man squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
either.
On 16 August 2006, Friedrich made his full debut, playing the entire second half of another friendly, the 3–0 with Sweden
in Gelsenkirchen
. He subsequently played all 90 minutes in the German team's opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland
and San Marino
, scoring his first international goal in the latter, the 12th in Germany's 13–0 victory over the group underdogs.
|1|| 6 September 2006 || Stadio Olimpico
, San Marino
|| || 0–12 || 0–13 || Euro 2008 qualifying
|}
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
footballer who plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen as a central defender.
Club career
Friedrich started playing football at SG Guldental 07, making his professional debuts with 1. FSV Mainz 051. FSV Mainz 05
1. Fußball- und Sportverein Mainz 05 e. V., usually shortened to 1. FSV Mainz 05, Mainz 05, or simply Mainz, is a 1905 founded German association football club based in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. In addition to the football section the 1. FSV Mainz 05 has a handball and table tennis department...
, which he had joined in 1995 – the club was then in the second division
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
. However, he had to wait until 26 February 2000 to make his competition debut, in a home match against FC Energie Cottbus.
In the following two seasons, Friedrich was a defensive stalwart, netting an astonishing eight goals (no penalties
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
) in the latter, as Mainz finished fourth, just one point shy of promotion.
Those stellar performances attracted attention from the top level
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
, and Friedrich signed with SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen is a German sports club best known for its association football team playing in Bremen, in the northwest German federal state of the same name. The club was founded on 4 February 1899 as Fußballverein Werder by a group of sixteen vocational high school students who had won a prize...
, but his time there would be anything but successful, as he only appeared once in the league in two years combined, the final seven minutes of the 4–1 home triumph against FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
, on 23 August 2003; in that second season, he also made 13 appearances with two goals for the reserve squad
SV Werder Bremen II
SV Werder Bremen II is the reserve team of Werder Bremen. It currently plays in the 3. Liga and has been a regular fixture at 3rd level football in Germany...
, in Regionalliga Nord; 2002–03 had already been totally lost to an anterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
injury.
In late January 2004, Friedrich returned to Mainz, still contributing with 17 matches en route to promotion. On 23 May, he scored one of four goals in the league, netting the second in the decisive 3–0 home win against SV Eintracht Trier 05
SV Eintracht Trier 05
SV Eintracht Trier 05 is a German association football club based in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate. It was formed on 11 March 1948 out of the merger of Westmark 05 Trier and Eintracht Trier 06, on the 43rd anniversary of the establishment of predecessor Trier Fußball Club 05...
on the final day of the season (promotion attained on goal difference
Goal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
). In the following three seasons combined, he rarely missed a game, adding four goals, but Mainz would be relegated in 2007.
In July 2007, Friedrich moved to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, continuing to be an everpresent defensive unit, and contributing – early in his first campaign – to consecutive home wins against Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
(3–0) and VfL Bochum
VfL Bochum
Verein für Leibesübungen Bochum 1848 Fußballgemeinschaft, commonly referred to as simply VfL Bochum, is a German association football club based in the city of Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia.-Founding to World War II:...
(2–0). He scored ten league goals in his first three seasons combined.
Friedrich could only appear in 19 games in 2010–11
2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2010–11 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 48th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions and ended with the last games on 14 May 2011. The winter...
due to injury, with Leverkusen finishing in second position and qualifying
2011–12 UEFA Champions League
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League is the 57th season of the European Cup, Europe's premier football tournament, and the 20th season in its current Champions League format. The final venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany...
to the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. In that competition, on 23 November 2011, he headed home in the last-minute
Last-minute goal
The term "last-minute goal" is used in sport, primarily association football, to describe a goal scored very late in a game. It may not necessarily refer to a goal scored in the actual final minute...
to help the hosts come from behind against Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
to win it 2–1.
International career
In March 2006, Friedrich was called up to GermanyGermany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
's squad for a friendly match against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, thus becoming the first Mainz player to ever represent the national side. However, he did not receive any playing time in the match and was not part of the 23-man squad at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
either.
On 16 August 2006, Friedrich made his full debut, playing the entire second half of another friendly, the 3–0 with Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in Gelsenkirchen
Gelsenkirchen
Gelsenkirchen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the Ruhr area. Its population in 2006 was c. 267,000....
. He subsequently played all 90 minutes in the German team's opening two Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
and San Marino
San Marino national football team
The San Marino national football team is the national football team of San Marino, controlled by the San Marino Football Federation...
, scoring his first international goal in the latter, the 12th in Germany's 13–0 victory over the group underdogs.
International goals
|-|1|| 6 September 2006 || Stadio Olimpico
Stadio Olimpico (San Marino)
Stadio Olimpico is a multi-purpose stadium in Serravalle, San Marino. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It is the national stadium of San Marino, and is also used by the club San Marino Calcio, which plays in the Italian football league. The Stadio Olimpico was also used by...
, San Marino
San Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
|| || 0–12 || 0–13 || Euro 2008 qualifying
|}