Despite catching up, SC Freiburg had to settle for a 3:3 (0:2) against Borussia Mönchengladbach. It was a bitter setback in the battle for the premier class.
The players fell to the ground in disappointment after the final whistle, coach Christian Streich tried his hand at comfort: Four days after reaching the final, the SC Freiburg cup heroes suffered a setback in the fight for their first-ever participation in the Champions League. Lars Stindl’s last-minute goal (90+3) at 3-3 (0-2) at Borussia Mönchengladbach hurt.
“It’s extremely bitter that we gave up the game at the last minute,” said captain Christian Günter on SWR radio: “But it doesn’t help, we have to keep going. We still have everything to win this season. But today is Of course there’s a drop of bitterness in that.” The gap to the coveted fourth place is two points three games before the end of the Bundesliga season.
Vincenzo Grifo with a penalty kick (49th), Günter (61st) and Philipp Lienhart (80th) turned the game around after Ramy Bensebaini quickly fell behind with a penalty kick (3rd) and Breel Embolo (13th). But then substitute Stindl scored to equalize. The Borussen were at least able to partially make amends for the swatter in the first leg (0:6) and the previous derby defeat against 1. FC Köln (1:3).
The 34,700 spectators in the sold-out Freiburg stadium – including ex-national coach Joachim Löw – saw the first controversial scene after just eleven seconds. As a result of a handball by Nicolas Höfler, referee Benjamin Brand (Unterspiesheim) decided on a penalty for the guests after studying the video. Bensebaini didn’t let the chance from the point be taken away.
Ten minutes later, Freiburg, who were trying to equalize, were countered. After Woo-Yeong Jeong lost the ball, Jonas Hofmann cleverly used Embolo. The Swiss shook off German international Nico Schlotterbeck, linked with Borussia Dortmund, and overcame SC goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Freiburg turns the game
The hosts, who had to do without Nils Petersen, Manuel Gulde, Yannik Keitel and Kevin Schade, only briefly showed the shock of the quick goals conceded. Ex-Borusse Grifo had the goal on his feet (15th).
As a result, Gladbach, who were missing Matthias Ginter, Laszlo Benes and Marvin Friedrich, skillfully defended their lead. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer hardly had to survive dangerous situations.
At the beginning of the second half, Streich introduced two new offensive players in Lucas Höler and Noah Weißhaupt. Only seconds later there was another controversial penalty after video evidence – this time for the SC after a foul by Stefan Lainer on Höfler. Grifo converted confidently.
After the goal, Freiburg pushed for an equalizer. However, SC captain Günter’s goal from a distance didn’t seem untenable. Lienhart took the lead after a corner, it was Freiburg’s 23rd standard goal this season – but then Joker Stindl scored to equalize.
SC Freiburg – Borussia M’gladbach: The data for the game
