After the success against West Ham United in the Europa League, SC Freiburg won again in the Bundesliga and beat VfL Bochum 2-1 (1-0) on matchday 25. It was Freiburg’s first Bundesliga win since January 20th.
Maximilian Eggestein gave Freiburg the lead in the 36th minute. Michael Gregoritsch made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute. Ivan Ordets ensured Bochum’s connection in the 62nd minute.
In the table, the Freiburg team climbed to eighth place with 33 points and remains close to the Conference League place. “We knew what was coming and fought back with everything we had. That’s why it was just enough in the end,” said Freiburg coach Christian Streich at the Sportschau microphone.
Andreas Kramer, Sportschau, March 10, 2024 6:09 p.m
VfL, on the other hand, suffered their third defeat in a row and is 15th in the table. failed to move further away from the relegation zone. The lead over 1. FC Köln in 16th place is still seven points.
Bochum demands a hand penalty
The game had barely started when it was interrupted again. Thick clouds of smoke drifted across the pitch from the Bochum fan block and caused a break of almost four minutes.
But even after the break, little happened on the pitch. Bochum gained slight advantages, but without becoming really dangerous. In the 28th minute there was the first excitement in the Freiburg penalty area. SC defender Kiliann Sildillia went somewhat unconventionally to a high ball and hit the ball with a mixture on the head and hand. Referee Marco Fritz decided against a penalty whistle.
Eight minutes later, Freiburg came dangerously in front of the goal for the first time – and immediately took the lead. Michael Gegoritsch placed a cross in the penalty area towards the right post. Eggestein was in the right position there and scored well into the far corner (36′).
Stöger misses – Gregoritsch scores for Freiburg
On the other hand, Bochum called for a penalty again three minutes later. This time Moritz Broschinski went down after a duel with Matthias Ginter. Fritz didn’t think Freiburg’s move was worthy of a penalty. “There were no two opinions for me. The arm is on my neck. For me it’s 100 percent a clear penalty,” said Broschinski at the Sportschau microphone.
The Bochum team also had a good chance shortly before the break. Kevin Stöger narrowly missed the goal with his header from six meters (45th + 2).
Gregoritsch showed how to do it better shortly after the restart. The Austrian headed a cross from Ritsu Doan into the goal from six meters against the direction of VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann and made the second dangerous attack 2-0 for efficient Freiburg (53′).
Andreas Kramer, Sportschau, March 10, 2024 5:52 p.m
Bochum’s Ordets connects
But Bochum stayed in the game and pushed for a quick goal. And with success: Ordets headed a corner from the right into the far corner in the 62nd minute.
Bochum was now clearly the better team and put the Freiburg defense under pressure. However, this held up and hardly allowed VfL any dangerous shots. SC goalkeeper Noah Atubolu had to intervene once and parry a header from Gancalo Paciencia in the 78th minute. In stoppage time, Keven Schlotterbeck headed a free-standing corner over the goal. Bochum couldn’t manage any more.
Bochum in Mainz, Freiburg near West Ham
VfL continues next Saturday (March 16, 2024, 3:30 p.m.) with a basement duel at 1. FSV Mainz 05. SC Freiburg first has to play in the Europa League at West Ham United on Thursday (March 14, 2024, 6:30 p.m.). and then welcomes league leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Sunday (March 17, 2024, 3:30 p.m.).