Before the game of the year, SC Freiburg missed out on a place in the Champions League. Coach Christian Streich’s team drew 0-0 at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Christian Streich hugged Daniel Farke, then the SC Freiburg coach high-fived his players. The missed leap into a Champions League place did not spoil Streich’s mood, five days before the game of the year at Juventus Turin he was able to live with the zero number at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
“We have to be satisfied after the course of the game,” said Matthias Ginter on Sky and preferred to look directly at the Europa League: “It’s something extraordinary for the club, but of course we want to create a good starting position for the second leg.” Sports director Jochen Saier agreed: “The fans and the city are looking forward to the duel.”
The Gladbachers are stuck in the middle of the table. “We had the better chances to score and we have to win the game,” sporting director Roland Virkus said angrily: “A lot of little things were called out against us, which made things hectic. Yellow-red was unnecessary, it could have been arranged differently.” Ramy Bensebaini (87′) had to leave the field in the closing stages after first kicking a ball away and then scornfully applauding the yellow card.
Gladbach not dangerous despite possession of the ball
In contrast to the defeat in Mainz (0:4), Borussia coach Farke made three changes to his team, while Freiburg striker Michael Gregoritsch (ill) was temporarily out. In front of 53,014 fans in Borussia-Park, the guests fired the first shot on goal through Roland Sallai (4th), goalkeeper Tobias Sippel had no problems. The real number three of the Gladbacher was in the box, since the first goalkeeper Jonas Omlin (strain) and substitute keeper Jan Olschowsky (stomach flu) were missing.
As a result, Gladbach took over control of the game against Freiburg, who were standing deep. Marcus Thuram (8th) and Alassane Plea (18th) found their match in SC keeper Mark Flekken.
The five-time German champions also had a lot of ball possession afterwards, but there was a lack of brilliant ideas. Thuram had a hard time with high balls against ex-Gladbacher Matthias Ginter, captain Lars Stindl also lost some balls in promising positions.
Almost nothing came from Freiburg in the first half. The passivity was almost punished. SC striker Lucas Höler cleared a header from Bensebaini on his own line (36′).
Freiburg came out of the break with more momentum. Sallai forced Sippel to do a brilliant job (49′). The hosts seemed surprised by the brisk appearance of Freiburg and lost their line a bit. The conspicuous Sallai (56th) recorded the next SC degree. On the other hand, Plea (64th) missed.
After a duel between Freiburg’s Nicolas Höfler and Thuram, referee Benjamin Brand initially decided on a penalty for Gladbach, but rightly took it back again according to the TV pictures (65th). Both teams played for victory in the hectic final phase before the guest.
Borussia Mönchengladbach – SC Freiburg: The voices of the game
Daniel Farke (Borussia Monchengladbach coach): “I have to compliment my lads. We’re happy with the reaction after the defeat in Mainz. Unfortunately, we only got one point. With our chances in the first half, we have to take the lead.”
Christian Streich (Coach SC Freiburg): “We played too slowly in the first half. That’s why we didn’t get into the dangerous areas. In the second half we did 20 minutes better. In the end we have to be satisfied with 0-0.”
Borussia Mönchengladbach – SC Freiburg: The data of the game
