Final phase: Grifo saves Freiburg from a 3-3 draw against Gladbach
Vincenzo Grifo has at least secured a point for SC Freiburg in their first game since being knocked out of the DFB Cup. The Italian international scored a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time in the 3:3 (1:3) draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. As a result, the visitors are still waiting for a win in Freiburg after their 16th attempt.
After goals from Jordan Siebatechu (25th minute), Alassane Plea (29th) and Julian Weigl (39th/foul penalty), who was later substituted due to injury, it looked for a long time as if this series would come to an end. Sport-Club had taken the lead through Lucas Höler (7th) and before the acclaimed equalizer, substitute Noah Weißhaupt (70th) put Freiburg back in front.
While Gladbach had advanced to the last 16 of the cup during the week, Sport-Club had to bury their dream of returning to Berlin after reaching the final this year. Little came together in the 1:3 defeat against second division side SC Paderborn. For Streich, it was therefore primarily about showing the basic virtues again. "We need short distances, mentality, tackling and courage with the ball. We need everything we have on the pitch to be able to compete," said the coach.
And at first it looked as if his players would succeed. Merlin Röhl - one of a total of five new players compared to the Paderborn defeat - popped up in front of Moritz Nicolas, but failed to beat the Gladbach goalkeeper (2nd). Höler also failed to get the ball over the line (6). A minute later, he did better after a pass from Röhl and put the hosts ahead in front of 34,700 spectators.
Borussia, who had only lost one game away from home before the tenth matchday, started cautiously. Out of nowhere, however, they were able to celebrate - twice within a few minutes: Siebatcheu equalized with a header from a free-kick. Shortly afterwards, Plea made the most of his free space and almost turned the game around. Freiburg central defender Matthias Ginter had ventured forward and lost the ball, while his teammate Philipp Lienhart failed to make a decisive save to deny the goalscorer.
Despite a strong opening phase, Freiburg let the game slip from their grasp and were penalized a third time before the break. After the video referee intervened, the referee Felix Brych awarded a penalty. Noah Atubolu saved the first attempt, but Günter Perl stepped up again and the penalty was retaken. Freiburg's goalkeeper had moved too early. This time, Weigl converted.
Visibly taken aback by his team's temporary collapse, Streich rubbed his eyes. If the 58-year-old had hoped for an improvement, he was initially disappointed after the break. Sport-Club did have more possession of the ball. However, compelling situations rarely arose from this.
Streich reacted and proved to have a lucky hand. Substitute Weißhaupt opened the scoring with his first goal for the Freiburg professionals. In the final phase, the home side went on a rampage and were actually able to avert their second home defeat. Gladbach's Nico Elvedi was unlucky with an unsuccessful attempt to clear the ball. The ball landed on the crossbar of his own goal. But then Grifo was on hand once again.
In the spectacular finish, Grifo's penalty kick saved SC Freiburg from a defeat against Bundesliga rival Borussia Mönchengladbach, ensuring a 3-3 draw. Despite the late equalizer, Freiburg is yet to claim a win against Gladbach in Freiburg after 16 attempts. Following the draw, Freiburg's attention shifts back to the Bundesliga, aiming to secure better results against their opponents.
Source: www.dpa.com
