Freiburg (dpa) – Vincenzo Grifo can be relied on from the penalty spot. Thanks to his strong nerves, the Italian international secured SC Freiburg a 2-1 (2-1) win in the Bundesliga against VfL Bochum, who were still winless away from home. The Breisgauer team dominated the game for long periods of Saturday, but they had to work hard for the home win.
Coach Christian Streich’s team initially ran after a deficit. Goncalo Paciencia gave VfL the lead after fifteen minutes. Ritsu Doan scored the deserved equalizer with a header (26th minute) and before the break Grifo turned the game in favor of the sports club (45th).
After defeats in the Europa League against West Ham United (1:2) and against German champions FC Bayern Munich in the league (0:3), Freiburg got back on the road to success and rejoined the European Cup ranks. Bochum remains stuck in the relegation zone after their third away defeat this season.
The international break seemed to have done the previously weak Freiburg team good in front of 33,900 spectators. The home team controlled the game from the start. However, the guests presented themselves concentrated in defense – similar to the recent goalless draw with championship contenders RB Leipzig. “We chose a defensive approach there. There were a few counterattack opportunities, but after the many goals conceded, it was initially about a compact defense,” explained Bochum coach Thomas Letsch.
The people of Bochum stuck to this approach. With one difference: This time they even managed to take the lead through a quick switch. Paciencia fired straight away with a volley and left Noah Atubolu with no chance to defend in the SC goal. It was the Portuguese’s first goal since May 2022 – back then he was still celebrating for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Streich, who changed his starting lineup to four positions, was particularly dissatisfied with his team’s sedate structure. “Faster, faster, faster,” he shouted unmistakably and gesticulated wildly.
His team followed the coach’s words with action. Doan headed Grifo’s cross at the far post and at the end of regular time in the first half, Grifo scored himself. In his career, he only failed to convert two of his 24 penalties. The 30-year-old was most recently defeated by Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann in the previous season.
The Bochum team had already managed to annoy European Cup participants three times this season. But in Freiburg they reached their limits. Immediately after the break, Maximilian Philipp had the opportunity to extend SC’s lead. This time Riemann had the upper hand. The keeper did not have to intervene with the shots from Maximilian Eggestein (53′) and Roland Sallai (56′).
Then Riemann’s counterpart also had something to do again. But when Christopher Antwi-Adjei appeared free in front of Atubolu, the Freiburg goalkeeper mastered the test with flying colors. It was VfL’s best opportunity to equalize, having been waiting for success in Freiburg for 27 years. After that, the hosts were back in control, but missed the early decision and therefore had to tremble for a long time.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:231020-99-640989/8
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