SC Freiburg made a dream start to the 60th Bundesliga season against their favorite opponent. Coach Christian Streich’s team defeated TSG Hoffenheim, who started without top new signing Wout Weghorst, 2-1 (2-0) and thus remain flawless in the sixth guest appearance in a row in the Baden duel. In addition, the Breisgauer managed their fourth win in the past five opening games
Attila Szalai with an own goal (39′) and Roland Sallai (45′ + 3′) set the course for what was initially a balanced game. Ozan Kabak (50th) was only able to shorten the gap, and TSG conceded the second defeat in a row despite numerous chances to score. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo is still waiting for his first win against Freiburg after seven attempts.
Before the game, his opponent Streich emphasized the importance of a successful start to the season. “Like everyone else, we still have zero points,” said the 58-year-old: “We want to change this number under all circumstances. You want the account to grow as quickly as possible.” At the beginning of his twelfth season in Breisgau, he relied on the tried and tested and got by without a new signing in the starting XI.
Matarazzo, on the other hand, sent three summer transfers into the running despite Weghorst’s muscular problems in Marius Bülter, Florian Grillitsch and Szalai. In front of 25,890 spectators, both teams went on the offensive with equal courage. An offside hit by Andrej Kramaric (5th) didn’t count, on the other side Michael Gregoritsch tested ex-Freiburger Oliver Baumann twice within a few seconds (6th/7th).
After a quarter of an hour, however, the game flattened out a bit, Baumann and Freiburg’s Bundesliga debutant Noah Atubolu, who had been promoted to goalkeeper, were now hardly the focus of attention. This was mainly due to the lack of precision on both sides. This was also the case with Sport-Club’s opening goal, but Szalai unluckily deflected Christian Günter’s harmless cross into the far post.
TSG seemed extremely shocked. Lukas Kübler’s attempt steered Baumann to the crossbar (45′), then Sallai dusted off after Gregoritsch’s shot while falling. Even after the change, the Kraichgauer continued to falter. Substitute Kevin Vogt frittered away in his own penalty area, but Kabak saved Gregoritsch’s low shot on the line (47′). Shortly afterwards, the defender scored from the crowd after a set piece to connect.
As a result, TSG suddenly played the game and created numerous good chances in the process. But Freiburg seemed a bit more dangerous in the now fast-paced game with their counterattacks, including Vincenzo Grifo hitting the post (60th).
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