Match summary
Early lead
VfB enjoyed a perfect start and took the lead after just 120 seconds through summer signing Ermedin Demirovic, who hit a spectacular effort from a corner.
Freiburg equalise
In soaring temperatures well over 30 degrees Celsius, Sebastian Hoeneß’s side had plenty of possession after that and controlled the game until the 27th minute, when Lukas Kübler was afforded too much space 20 metres from goal and struck the equaliser from distance. Alex Nübel made a superb save to deny Merlin Röhl just six minutes later, leaving the game deservedly level at the break.
Freiburg turn it around
The hosts emerged with fire in their bellies for the second half and created the better of the chances against a wobbly VfB side. Their pressure took its toll in the 54th minute through Ritsu Doan, with Kübler grabbing his second of the match to make it 3-1 a short while later.
VfB struggled to get a foothold in the game during this period, as Freiburg continued to maintain their grip on proceedings and carve out presentable openings. Hoeneß brought on Anrie Chase, Justin Diehl, Fabian Rieder and Nick Woltemade in a bid to turn the tide, but Freiburg held on to inflict defeat on VfB in their season opener.
Goals
2nd minute: Freiburg struggle to clear their lines at a corner and Demirovic takes full advantage with an eye-catching scissor kick to put VfB 1-0 up.
27th minute: Kübler leaves Nübel no chance with a long-range effort that nestles in the bottom-left corner of VfB’s goal.
54th minute: Doan beats Frans Krätzig to a cross into the VfB penalty area from the left, and after his effort strikes the right-hand post, Doan again reacts quickest to poke in from close range and put Freiburg ahead.
61st minute: Kübler heads in firmly from a corner to make it 3-1 to the home side.
Worth noting:
Ermedin Demirovic, Frans Krätzig, Jeff Chabot and Justin Diehl all played in their first Bundesliga match in a VfB shirt. For Ermedin Demirovic, it was his 125th Bundesliga appearance overall.
Anrie Chase and Fabian Rieder made their Bundesliga debuts in Freiburg.