Bundesliga - In stoppage time: Freiburg lose in Heidenheim
An own goal in stoppage time and a brace from Lucas Höler meant that SC Freiburg suffered a defeat at the end of the soccer year. The team from Baden were beaten 2:3 (1:0) in the regional duel at 1. FC Heidenheim on Wednesday. Matthias Ginter stumbled the ball over his own line at the end (90.+2). Freiburg, who had previously won three times in a row in the Bundesliga, slipped out of the European Cup places. The upcoming break should come in handy due to their personnel problems.
Höler scored first in the 7th and then in the 64th minute from the penalty spot in front of 15,000 spectators on the Ostalb. Eren Dinkci (52) and Kleindienst equalized twice for Heidenheim. Thanks to Ginter's mishap, the promoted side crowned their extraordinary year with another success and are now a comfortable ten points clear of the relegation zone.
A few minutes before kick-off, Heidenheim announced the extension of their captain Patrick Mainka's contract until 2027, but had to do without standard specialist Jan-Niklas Beste due to illness. The hosts could have done with the midfielder in the first half. Somewhat more dangerous resting balls might have been an effective tool against Freiburg, who stood deep for long stretches. The FCH often had the ball, but lacked offensive penetration.
SC, who were virtually down to their last team and only had five outfield players on the bench, withdrew after Höler took the early lead. The striker scored from the right-hand side into the left-hand corner after a good pass from Merlin Röhl. Midway through the first half, Freiburg's own corner kick almost flew around their ears, but FCH failed to finish the counter-attack. The Swabians were also a little too awkward with chances through Kleindienst (24') and Dinkci (36').
Shortly after the break, however, Heidenheim were rewarded for their efforts. Kleindienst kept an overview against an exceptionally unsettled visitors and crossed for Dinkci to convert beautifully into the top left corner. The veteran coaches Frank Schmidt on the Heidenheim side and Christian Streich on the Freiburg side drove their players on with wild gesticulations - and the game continued to gather pace. Röhl failed to beat FCH keeper Kevin Müller (54').
When Ritsu Doan made a hook in the Heidenheim penalty area and went down in a duel with FCH defender Benedikt Gimber, referee Benjamin Brand decided to award a penalty - Höler converted with aplomb. However, the underdogs struck back in the person of Kleindienst from close range. In stoppage time, defender Ginter became the tragic figure for Freiburg.
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- Despite the victory, 1. FC Heidenheim is still ten points away from the relegation zone in the Bundesliga.
- Merlin Röhl provided an assist for Lucas Höler's opening goal for SC Freiburg in the regional duel.
- Matthias Ginter's own goal in stoppage time sealed Freiburg's fate, pushing them out of the European Cup places.
- The match took place in Baden-Württemberg, with over 15,000 spectators watching the 1. FC Heidenheim vs. SC Freiburg clash.
- In the same Bundesliga fixture, Eren Dinkci and Kleindienst both scored twice, with an own goal by Freiburg, to secure the double pack for Heidenheim.
- Freiburg's defender Matthias Ginter will likely be remembering his own goal against Heidenheim for some time, as it played a crucial role in determining the match result.
Source: www.stern.de
