Alexander Frei is Back, and He Means Business

Alexander Frei has been out of international football for roughly a year, with hip and calf injuries. But after logging more than his fair share of time on the operating table and in the recovery room, Frei returns to international action with Switzerland today, against Germany. And while lesser men would be happy just to be back, the Borussia Dortmund striker is looking to get something settled.

The 28 year old has 32 international goals to his name, two less than former Lucerne teammate Kubilay Tuerkyilmaz, who is (currently) Switzerland’s all-time leading scorer with 34. Frei’s plan is to break that record before Switzerland co-host Euro 2008 this summer, so that it’s done and out of the way.

A hat-trick against Germany would take care of that today. A little ambitious perhaps, and he may not get all three goals today. But with goalpoaching instincts like this (vs Togo at the 2006 World Cup) don’t bet against Frei racking up a few goals between now and June and entering the tournament with the record safely in his pocket.