SC Freiburg parted ways with Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 (1-0) in the duel between the Europa League participants. Vincenzo Grifo gave SC the lead with a direct free kick (29′). Sardar Azmoun equalized with his first Bundesliga goal (67′).
Freiburg missed the leap into the top four in the table with the draw and is now fifth with 41 points. The gap to leaders Borussia Dortmund is five points. Leverkusen remain in the middle of the league with 28 points.
Freiburg meets again by standard
The hosts took control at the beginning and developed an advantage. Grifo had the best chance to score after about 15 minutes. And the Italian was still the center of attention after half an hour: he curled a free kick wonderfully to the inside of the post and from there into the net.
Afterwards, Leverkusen became much stronger, Freiburg withdrew more and more. But neither Moussa Diaby (37/45.), Kerem Demirbay (39.) nor Jeremie Frimpong (40.) brought the ball into the SC goal with good chances.
Interesting Bayer compensation
At the break, Bayer coach Xabi Alonso brought on hopeful Florian Wirtz for Adam Hlozek. For the time being, that didn’t change much, the Breisgauers were more secure defensively than in the final phase of the first half.
It took a brainwave to equalize: Mitchell Bakker crossed to the back post with his outside instep, where Azmoun volleyed in.
Four minutes later, Freiburg almost got back in front: first Philipp Lienhart failed to get through to Bayer goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, then Lucas Höler hit the post. In the final phase both teams played to win. Bayer’s Patrik Schick had the best chance with a header to the right aluminum post in injury time.
Freiburg in Gladbach, Leverkusen against Hertha
On Matchday 23, Freiburg is challenged away at Borussia Mönchengladbach (Saturday, March 4th, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.). A day later, Leverkusen receives Hertha from Berlin (3.30 p.m.).