Borussia drew 3-3 in a goalfest with hosts SC Freiburg. Jordan, Alassane Plea and Julian Weigl’s penalty found the net for the Foals. The home team equalised with the last kick of the game.
34,700 spectators at a sold-out Europa-Park Stadion saw a lightning start from SCF, who took the lead through Lucas Höler after just seven minutes. After this, the match quietened down somewhat until Borussia equalised through Jordan’s header following a superb free kick routine in the 25th minute. The Foals now had the upper hand and went ahead shortly afterwards after a solo goal by Alassane Plea in the 29th minute. After Plea missed the chance for a third goal, it did come in the 37th minute after VAR awarded Borussia a penalty. Weigl was initially denied by Atubolu, but he was allowed to take it again as Freiburg’s goalkeeper was off his line when the shot was taken. Weigl remained calm and converted in the 39th minute to make it 3-1 at the break.
After half time, Freiburg piled on the pressure, but Borussia defended with concentration and cohesion against the SCF attacks. After Hack missed a chance for the fourth goal with a powerful strike in the 65th minute, Freiburg made it 3-2 through substitute Noah Weißhaupt in the 71st. In the final stages, the hosts threw everything forwards and found a last minute equaliser as Vincenzo Grifo converted a penalty in the sixth minute of injury time.
TEAM NEWS
Gerardo Seoane made two changes to his team after the 3-1 DFB-Pokal win over 1. FC Heidenheim. Alassane Plea and Franck Honorat returned to the starting eleven in place of Robin Hack and the suspended Manu Koné. Joe Scally, Nico Elvedi, Max Wöber and Luca Netz again made up a back four in front of goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas. Rocco Reitz and Julian Weigl operated in defensive midfield. Nathan Ngoumou, Plea and Honorat were the trio behind Jordan in attack.
Ko Itakura (ankle operation), Tony Jantschke (muscle problems), Hannes Wolf (meniscus tear), Yvandro Borges Sanches (thigh) and Jonas Omlin (recovering from a shoulder operation) were again all unavailable.
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS
2’: The first big chance of the game already. A long ball from Freiburg is headed onto Röhl. He moves into the penalty area from the left and shoots from a tight angle, but Moritz Nicolas is covering the near post and saves well.
7’: Freiburg make it 1-0! Röhl breaks through on the right and finds Höler in the middle. The striker makes no mistake and just has to slide the ball home.
9’: First big chance for Borussia. Plea picks up the ball in a lot of space, but his effort is just wide of the left post.
25’: Netz is played in high by Weigl from a lovely free kick routine. The full-back heads it onto Jordan in the middle. He wins an aerial duel and manages to head the ball over the line for 1-1.
29’: 2-1 to Borussia! Plea is given far too much space by Lienhart and a great off-the-ball run by Jordan. The Frenchman advances unchallenged into the penalty area, stays cool in front of Atubolu and slots into the far corner.
31’: Another dangerous effort from Plea, but his shot from about 16 yards out is over the bar.
37’: After VAR intervention, the Fouls are awarded a penalty for a foul on Jordan by Lienhart. Weigl steps up but strikes it at Atubolu. But VAR checks it...
39’:...and awards a retake! Atubolu was off his line when the shot was taken. Weigl finishes convincingly at the second attempt. 3-1 to Borussia!
SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS
65’: Hack pulls the trigger! Borussia counter and Hack moves into the penalty area from the right. Atubolu tips his powerful effort over the bar.
71’: Freiburg reduce the deficit! Weißhaupt plays a clever one-two with Höler that puts him through on goal, and he finishes past Nicolas for 3-2.
83’: That was close! Čvančara tries to clear a cross from Grifo and heads onto his own crossbar.
86’: Gregoritsch rises to get his head on the ball at the far post. Chiarodia clears off the line behind the already-beaten Nicolas.
90+6’: A late equaliser for SCF! Chiarodia tries to clear in the penalty area, but Weißhaupt is first to the ball and is caught by the tip of the Italian’s foot. Brych gives a penalty. Grifo steps up and converts confidently to level it up at 3-3.
STATISTICS
Freiburg: Atubolu – Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Kübler (Makengo 46’) – Höfler – Doan (Weißhaupt 59’), Eggestein, Röhl (Gregoritsch 59’), Grifo – Höler // Unused substitutes: Müller, Schmidt, Gulde, Keitel, Adamu
Borussia: Nicolas – Scally, Elvedi, Wöber, Netz (Chiarodia 80’) – Reitz, Weigl – Honorat (Kramer 80’), Plea (Čvančara 71’), Ngoumou (Friedrich 71’) – Jordan (Hack 43’) // Unused substitutes: Olschowsky, Herrmann, Neuhaus, Ranos
Goals: 1-0 Höler (7’), 1-1 Jordan (25’), 1-2 Plea (29’), 1-3 Weigl (39’ (pen)), 2-3 Weißhaupt (71’)
Yellow cards: Lienhart, Ginter - Netz
Attendance: 34,700 (sold-out)
Referee: Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)
