Borussia claim a late point in Freiburg

Despite leading 2-0 at the break, Borussia Mönchengladbach needed a stoppage-time goal from Lars Stindl to rescue a 3-3 draw away at SC Freiburg on matchday 31 in the Bundesliga.

The Foals made the perfect start in front of 34,700 fans at the sold-out Europa-Park Stadion. Ramy Bensebaini opened the scoring from the penalty spot inside just three minutes after a handball, before Breel Embolo’s cool finish doubled Borussia’s advantage ten minutes later. The home side took control of proceedings for the remainder of the half, albeit without offering too much of a threat. An early penalty after the restart provided Freiburg with momentum, however. Vincenzo Grifo converted the spot-kick in the 49th minute and the scores were levelled by Christian Günter’s low shot from outside the box around the hour mark. Christian Streich’s team continued to push forward and got their reward from a corner, nodded in by Philipp Lienhart to make it 3-2 with ten minutes to go. Borussia had the final say though, as substitute Lars Stindl’s header rescued a point in the third minute of added time.

TEAM NEWS

Head coach Adi Hütter made just one change to the side beaten in last week’s derby, with the injured Matthias Ginter replaced by Luca Netz. Yann Sommer continued in goal behind a back-three of Jordan Beyer, Nico Elvedi and Ramy Bensebaini, with Stefan Lainer and Netz taking up wing-back positions. Florian Neuhaus and Manu Koné partnered up in central midfield, while Jonas Hofmann, Alassane Plea and Breel Embolo made up the front-three.

Apart from Ginter (foot), Borussia were also without László Bénes and Marcus Thuram (both muscle problems). Marvin Friedrich did return to the matchday squad, however, following a long spell on the sidelines following his Covid-19 infection.

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

2’: An early opener for the Foals. Hofmann’s pull-back in the box is blocked by the outstretched arm of Höfler. A penalty is awarded following a VAR review and Bensebaini coolly picks out the bottom corner. 1-0 to Borussia.

12’: Demirovic takes aim after a free-kick is laid off to him on the edge of the box. There are a lot of bodies between Sommer and the ball, but he maintains his focus on holds on to the shot.

13’: Lead extended! Hofmann plays Embolo in behind. The Switzerland international holds off Schlotterbeck and calmly tucks the ball past Flekken. 2-0 to Borussia.

15’: Grifo looks to curl a shot past Sommer from around 18 yards, but the Gladbach keeper is equal to it and parries the ball away.

27’: Embolo meets Beyer’s cross with a header, however, the ball drops inches wide of the target.

32’: A close call. Lienhart flicks a corner-kick on and Sallai is a split second too late arriving at the back post and can’t quite direct his shot on target.

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS

49’: SCF pull one back. Lainer stands on Höfler’s foot during a corner and VAR once again awards a penalty, which Grifo convincingly buries. 2-1 to Borussia.

60’: Netz’s through ball finds Neuhaus and he looks to lift a shot over Flekken, but the connection wasn’t what he was looking for.

61’: Freiburg equalise. Günter has space to shoot from around 20 yards out and his low shot across goal finds the bottom corner. 2-2.

63’: The best chance for Borussia in this second half. Hofmann latches onto a long ball and shoots, but Flekken is able to tip the ball over the top.

66’: Eggestein has a go with a speculative volley and catches it decently, but Sommer does well to hold on with red shirts lurking.

80’: Turnaround complete. Günter’s corner is headed in by an unmarked Lienhart. 3-2 to Freiburg.

87’: Almost the final nail, but Elvedi is able to head Sallai’s effort away before it crosses the line.

90+3’: A late equaliser! Herrmann crosses from the right and finds the head of fellow substitute Stindl, who directs his shot brilliantly into the far corner. 3-3.

MATCH FACTS

SC Freiburg: Flekken – Kübler (86’ K. Schlotterbeck), Lienhart, N. Schlotterbeck, Günter – Eggestein, Höfler, Sallai (89’ Haberer), Jeong (46’ Weißhaupt/55’ Schmid), Grifo – Demirovic (46’ Höler)

Borussia: Sommer – Beyer (85’ Herrmann), Elvedi Bensebaini – Lainer (69’ Scally), Netz – Koné, Neuhaus (69’ Noß) – Hofmann, Plea (73’ Stindl) – Embolo // Unused subs: Sippel, Friedrich, Jantschke, Kramer, Bennetts

Goals: 0-1 Bensebaini (3’, pen.), 0-2 Embolo (13’), 1-2 Grifo (49’, pen.), 2-2 Günter (61’), 3-2 Lienhart (80’), 3-3 Stindl (90+3’)

Attendance: 34,700 (sold-out)

Yellow cards: Eggestein – Plea, Koné, Stindl

Referee: Benjamin Brand (Unterspiesheim)

Luca Netz replaced the injured Matthias Ginter in the starting XI
Ramy Bensebaini opened the scoring from the penalty spot
Nico Elvedi in a challenge with Jeong Woo-Yeong

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