The SC Freiburg professionals jumped up and down arm in arm in front of their fans, Christian Streich watched his winners from a distance.
The Breisgauers celebrated with relief the end of their winless streak in the Bundesliga and gained further self-confidence four days before a historic opportunity in the Europa League. Coach Streich’s team won 2-1 (1-0) at VfL Bochum.
“Extremely a lot of pressure” was lost, said goalscorer Michael Gregoritsch. For Freiburg it was the first triple point win in the league after six games without a win. “The self-confidence in the Bundesliga isn’t that great, and fitness isn’t always over 100 percent either. So we’re very, very happy that we somehow got through it. A win like that is extremely important for them Morality,” emphasized the Austrian.
Maximilian Eggestein (36th minute) and Gregoritsch (53rd) scored the goals for SC and ensured Bochum’s third defeat in a row. The Revierclub is 15th in the table, but still has a reassuring lead of seven points over the relegation place. Defender Ivan Ordets scored for VfL (62′).
Bochum struggles with the referee’s decision
Sauer commented on Bochum’s striker Moritz Broschinski on a scene shortly before half-time: Referee Marco Fritz did not consider Matthias Ginter’s use of his arm in the penalty area against Broschinski to be a foul. “It felt clear to me in the game,” said the 23-year-old and, looking at the pictures on the streaming service DAZN, assessed: “You can clearly see the grip that he’s putting me in a headlock. That’s a clear penalty.”
Freiburg is in the middle of the table with 33 points and wants to reach a European quarter-final for the first time in the club’s history on Thursday at West Ham United in London. The Breisgauers won the first leg of the round of 16 against the English first division team 1-0 at home.
“We can’t get involved in an open exchange of blows,” said SC coach Streich before the game. And the 25,594 spectators in the Ruhrstadion didn’t get to see one of those at the beginning, nor did Freiburg’s game control.
Freiburg’s leadership practically falls out of nowhere
The game initially remained at a very manageable level. Bad passes and other inaccuracies characterized the event. A long-range shot from Bochum defender Keven Schlotterbeck, which Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu deflected to a corner, was the most dangerous scoring opportunity in the first 35 minutes. At times there was so little going on near the gate that pigeons could look for food there in peace.
Streich seemed correspondingly dissatisfied with his team’s performance. The 58-year-old repeatedly tried to correct Freiburg’s game with loud announcements and gestures. Still, there wasn’t much progress. The guests’ lead practically fell out of nowhere. Gregoritsch headed a cross from the right to Eggestein and the midfielder scored with Freiburg’s first real chance to take the lead.
Stöger missed the chance to make it 1-1
The game became more heated after Bochum was denied a penalty. Fritz and fourth official Sören Storks struggled several times to calm the excited minds on the pitch and in front of the substitutes’ benches. In injury time of the first half, Kevin Stöger missed the equalizer with a poorly placed header from a promising position.
After the break, Freiburg punished this. Ritsu Doan crossed to Gregoritsch and the completely alone center forward scored the second goal for the guests quite easily. However, Bochum did not give up. After a corner, Ordets scored the goal with a remarkable header. Bochum was now pushing for an equalizer. However, the hosts were unable to score the second goal despite a few attempts – even if VfL keeper Manuel Riemann stormed along.
