An eternally long series in the Bundesliga almost came to an end: Borussia Mönchengladbach led SC Freiburg until the last second. But then Vincenzo Grifo converted a penalty to make it a 3-3 (1-3) draw. Previously, Jordan Siebatcheu (25′), Alassane Plea (29′) and Julian Weigl (39’/foul penalty) had turned things around after Lucas Höler (7′) gave Freiburg an early lead and Noah Weißhaupt (71′) had Freiburg through his goal gave hope again.
There were three players in Gladbach’s starting eleven whose current employer had never won an away game in Freiburg during their lifetime. When Borussia last won in Breisgau on March 23, 2002, Joe Scally, Rocco Reitz and Luca Netz weren’t even born yet, and now it was their turn to put an end to their club’s misery.
Freiburg starts with three huge chances
But after just a few seconds, the Freiburgers radiated that their favorite guest was once again a guest in their home stadium. Merlin Röhl missed the great chance to take the lead after just 65 seconds, which Moritz Nicolas was able to prevent with a foot save. Shortly afterwards, Lucas Höler missed an even greater opportunity. After a corner that Philipp Lienhart headed in, the striker finished from close range, but instead of pushing the ball over the line, he shot parallel to it into the arms of Nicolas (6th).
But just seconds later, Höler took advantage of Freiburg’s third high-caliber player. Röhl broke through on the right side and fed the 29-year-old, who again had to push into the empty goal from just a few meters – and this time he did (7th). Freiburg’s starting offensive was overwhelming for Gladbach and was ultimately crowned with success.
Siebatcheu and Plea turn the game around
However, the guests reported back afterwards. Alassane Plea sprinted and finally shot from around 18 meters, but his right-foot shot whizzed just past the post (9th). It was the starting signal for a clear improvement in the performance of coach Gerardo Seoane’s team.
And it didn’t take too long for their efforts to be rewarded. After a standard situation, Jordan Siebatcheu was there with a header and scored Gladbach’s equalizer (25th). The striker was the decisive man with a brace in the cup against 1. FC Heidenheim (3-1) during the week and has now continued his run.
Weigl is allowed to play twice from the point
And like three days ago, Gladbach quickly followed up. Again Plea was unstoppable by the Freiburg defense and the Frenchman poked the ball past SC goalkeeper Noah Atubolu (29th). Shortly afterwards, Plea even had the chance to make it 3-1, but aimed a little too high (31st).
Julian Weigl got an even bigger chance shortly afterwards – twice. After a foul by Philipp Lienhart on Siebatcheu, Gladbach received a penalty. Atubolu was able to save in the first attempt, but the penalty was retaken because the goalkeeper had both feet in front of the line when he jumped. Weigl scored at the second attempt and increased the score for Gladbach (39′).
Weißhaupt gives Freiburg hope again
In order to keep their eternally clean slate against Gladbach, coach Christian Streich’s team needed a turnaround in the second half. But even after the break, the Conference League participants didn’t really get going. It wasn’t until the 61st minute that things became somewhat dangerous when Noah Weißhaupt finished after a cross, but couldn’t get the ball onto the Gladbach goal from too tight an angle.
But Weißhaupt succeeded with his next chance. After an assist from Höler, the Freiburg joker had a free shot in the penalty area, kept his nerve and scored the next goal (71′). And the question arose: Will the Gladbach-Freiburg curse continue this season?
The answer to this only came with the last action of the game. Weißhaupt was hit on the foot by Fabio Chiarodia and there was a penalty for Freiburg in the fifth minute of stoppage time – and Vincenzo Grifo converted it, as usual, to make it 3-3 and win a late point for the hosts (96th). And so Scally, Netz and Reitz have still never experienced a Gladbach victory in Freiburg.
Gladbach welcomes the Wolves, Freiburg in Leipzig
On the 11th matchday, the Fohlen will host VfL Wolfsburg (Friday, November 10th, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). Freiburg will face RB Leipzig away two days later (7:30 p.m.).