Freiburg (dpa) – Vincenzo Grifo secured at least one point for SC Freiburg in the first game after they were eliminated from the DFB Cup. In the 3:3 (1:3) draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, the Italian national soccer player scored with a penalty kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The guests are still waiting for a win in Freiburg after the 16th attempt.
After the goals from Jordan Siebatechu (25th minute), Alassane Plea (29th) and Julian Weigl (39th/foul penalty), who was later substituted injured, it looked for a long time as if this series would end. The sports club took the lead through Lucas Höler (7th) and before the celebrated equalizer, substitute Noah Weißhaupt (70th) brought Freiburg back into it.
While the Gladbachers made it to the round of 16 of the cup during the week, the sports club had to bury its dream of returning to Berlin after participating in the final in 2022. In the 1:3 defeat against second division team SC Paderborn, little came together. For Streich, it was primarily about showing the basic virtues again. “We need short distances, mentality, duel behavior and courage with the ball. We need everything we have on the pitch to be able to survive,” the coach said.
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 – appeared free in front of Moritz Nicolas, but was denied by the Gladbach goalkeeper (2nd). In addition, Höler failed to get the ball over the line (6th). A minute later he did better after a pass from Röhl and gave the hosts the lead in front of 34,700 spectators.
Borussia, who had only lost one game away from home before the tenth matchday, got off to a slow start. But out of nowhere they were able to celebrate – twice within a few minutes: Siebatcheu equalized with his head from a free kick. Shortly afterwards, Plea used his freedom and almost playfully turned the game around. Freiburg’s central defender Matthias Ginter had ventured forward and lost the ball, and Philipp Lienhart, next to him, did not significantly disrupt the goalscorer.
Despite a strong opening phase, Freiburg gave up the game and were punished a third time before the half-time whistle. After the video referee got involved, the referee Felix Brych decided on a penalty. Noah Atubolu parried the first attempt, but Günter Perl spoke up again – the penalty was repeated. Freiburg’s goalkeeper had moved too early. This time Weigl converted.
Streich rubbed his eyes, visibly shaken by his team’s temporary collapse. If the 58-year-old had hoped for improvement, he was initially disappointed after the break. The sports club had more possession of the ball. However, this rarely resulted in compelling situations.
Streich reacted and showed a good hand. Substitute Weißhaupt scored the next goal with his first goal for the Freiburg professionals. In the final phase, the home team came out on top and were actually able to avert their second home defeat. There was no luck when Gladbach’s Nico Elvedi failed to clear the ball. The ball only landed on the crossbar of their own goal. But then Grifo was there again.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:231104-99-823752/3
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