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“The boys did really well, even if Leverkusen were the better side for large parts of the game,” said Christian Streich, who was satisfied with his team’s performance. “But how else are we meant to play? If we give them space, then they’re able to get in behind us. We didn’t concede many clear goalscoring chances and the game got tight when we got a goal back. The game keeps us moving forwards – we left everything out on the pitch.”
Both teams were in action on Thursday and enjoyed victories on the European stage. Whilst Sunday’s game was SC’s second away game in less than 72 hours, Leverkusen had the luxury of playing at home in both the Europa League as well in the Bundesliga.
Compared to the 3-1 win in Serbia, Freiburg employed a 4-5-1 against Bayer. Merlin Röhl and Lucas Höler came into the starting eleven in place of the injured Maximilian Philipp and Rolland Sallai, whilst Lukas Kübler and Kiliann Sildillia also replaced Noah Weißhaupt and Manuel Gulde in defence.
Xavi Alonso made five changes to his starting line-up in total, with Lukas Hradecky, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong, Exequiel Palacios and Jonas Hoffman replacing Matej Kovar, Piero Hincapie, Robert Andrich, Amine Adli and Nathan Tella.
SC keep things tight for a long time
Bayer 04, yet to be beaten this season and in incredible form, began the game in purposeful fashion and threatened Noah Atubolu’s goal less than a minute into the match through a long-range effort from Granit Xhaka that went just wide.
SC countered the hosts’ tempo and varied combinational play by keeping things tight, whilst they were almost solely occupied with defensive work in the first half. The result was that Leverkusen had a lot of possession, but they only had half-chances until midway through the half and these opportunities didn’t threaten the visitors’ goal.
It took around half an hour for SC to launch their first attack. Lucas Höler, having been found by Lukas Kübler, got the better of Jonathan Tah in the penalty area and tested Lukas Hradecky from 12 yards out with a low shot into the corner, but the goalkeeper was able to make the save at his near post (27’).
Wirtz puts Bayer in front
Freiburg’s defensive wall, which had been compact up until this point, was breached barely ten minutes before the interval. Florian Wirtz managed to dance past three Freiburg players in the tightest of spaces in the penalty area and crucially wasn’t prevented from shooting as he fired into the far corner from the right-hand side of the box (37’).
SC had the chance to equalise shortly before half-time through Merlin Röhl, but Hradecky was denied him as the hosts went into the break 1-0 to the good.
Misfortune as Leverkusen get their second
The game initially continued in a similar vein as the second half got underway. Xabi Alonso’s side saw lots of the ball and laid siege on Freiburg’s half, whilst SC tried to take advantage of the opposition’s rare turnovers of possession by launching counter-attacks, although they were sometimes a little frantic in doing so.
Noah Atubolu wasn’t called into action in Freiburg’s goal up until the 60th minute, but the goalkeeper then had to pick the ball out of the back of his net for the second time. An effort from distance from Jonas Hoffman struck the post, but the ball then bounced off the back of the stretching Atubolu and rolled over the line.
The woodwork then came to SC’s aid on two further occasions. First, Jeremie Frimpong hit the outside of the post with only Atubolu to beat following a 40-yard solo run (65’). Ten minutes later, Freiburg’s shot-stopper was able to tip a long-range strike onto the upper side of the bar with a strong save, before steering the ball over the goal (75’).
Gulde’s goal makes things exciting
SC Freiburg didn’t give up despite falling two goals behind, now getting into the opposition’s half more and more often, and they were rewarded for their hard-working display with a goal. The recently introduced Manuel Gulde rose highest from a Grifo free-kick next to the by-line and nodded an irresistible header into the back of the net (70’). SC even came close to equalising during this period of the game, but Kiliann Sildillia was unable to beat Lukas Hradecky from eleven yards out with a powerful strike (73’).
The two sides traded blows in an open affair in the closing stages of the game. Both Kiliann Sildillia and Michael Gregoritsch went close with attempts at goal, but SC were unable to find a leveller. After the full-time whistle, the players were able to celebrate a courageous performance with their travelling fans.
SC are next in action on Wednesday in the second round of the DFB-Pokal when second-division side Paderborn are the guests at the Europa-Park Stadion.
Photo: DeFodi Images
