SC Freiburg claims a Champions League rank. At 1. FC Köln, the Breisgau team won 1-0 (0-0) and successfully defended fourth place.
Christian Streich held his hands in front of his face: The hard-fought 1-0 (0-0) win at 1. FC Köln seemed like a liberation for the SC Freiburg coach, who is still actively involved in the fight for the Champions League. “Cologne demanded everything from us, everyone is in pain, but the win is all the more important,” emphasized Freiburg attacker Lucas Höler sky. Ritsu Doan scored the decisive goal for Breisgau (54th).
Once again, the winning goal came from a set piece. Höler: “Without a standard goal you play 0-0, this win is extremely important. We’ll give it our all now and see what comes of it.” SCF sports director Jochen Saier added: “Our remaining program is tough, we have to go from game to game.”
FC have four games before the end of the season on 35 points, and despite the defeat, they can hardly be taken away from the league. However, the FC could not capitalize on the 21:12 shots on goal against the Sport-Club. “We weren’t consistent enough in crucial situations – front and back. If you don’t score goals, you don’t win a football game,” said FC captain Jonas Hector on Sky.
The first moments of goosebumps in the sold-out RheinEnergie Stadium came even before kick-off: Hector was greeted with standing ovations as the hosts warmed up and read out the team roster. The captain and ex-national player announced the end of his career after the season last weekend.
Open exchange of blows with many offensive actions
Exactly 45 years to the day after winning the last championship, FC started with a lot of pressure and with a lot going forward. Birthday boy Eric Martel only got stuck with a shot attempt (2nd), then rattled together in an aerial duel with Vincenzo Grifo from Freiburg (10th). Both were able to continue playing after a short treatment.
An open exchange of blows developed with many offensive actions on both sides. Freiburg keeper Mark Flekken had to excel several times, first saving Linton Maina’s volley and then, with a strong reflex, Martel’s header from very close range (23′).
The guests initially had trouble against the defensively well-stocked Cologne. Lucas Höler failed first with a low shot (30th) and then with a lob (40th) on the strong Marvin Schwäbe in the Cologne box.
It was goalless at the break – this time the guests came out of the cabin with more momentum. Höler extended a corner kick with a header, Doan only had to nod off at the second post. It was already the 20th goal after a stationary ball for the Breisgauer – league best.
Gregoritsch missed the great opportunity to make it 2-0 (59′), then Flekken prevented the equalizer with another strong save (68′).
1. FC Cologne – SC Freiburg: The voices
Steffen Baumgart (Coach 1. FC Cologne): “It’s not a good result for us, but I saw a really great football game. It was an open game to the end, the lads gave everything. It was fun to watch, both teams fought. In the end, you saw why Freiburg is where they are.”
Christian Streich (Coach SC Freiburg): “Today it was certainly not the better team that won, but the luckier ones. The pitch wasn’t good, it was incredibly soapy. Cologne was extremely strong, hats off. We had an outstanding goalkeeper, good phases before and after half-time and we defended like crazy. The mentality of the lads is why we don’t lose such close games.”
