Today’s starting XI was almost completely different to the one that drew 1-1 vs. Qarabag in the Europa League, with only Christian Günter featuring in both Thursday’s and Sunday’s line-up. Just like in Baku, Roland Sallai returned to the squad after recovering from his eye injury sustained against Leverkusen at the start of September.  

Vincenzo Grifo had the first good opportunity of the game after three minutes. A Lukas Kübler cross went right across the six-yard box and the Italian was only denied by a good save from FC keeper Marvin Schwäbe. At the other end of the pitch, the in-form Florian Kainz had a similarly good chance of his own when he intercepted Mark Flekken’s pass, but the Dutchman made up for his mistake with a solid stop (6’). 

Schwäbe tested early on 

Freiburg went into the game against a fellow German team who competed in Europe with the knowledge that Bayer Leverkusen had just thrashed Union Berlin 5-0 just before this match kicked off, meaning that SCF would be able to overtake their capital-city side in the league table with a win. Köln, despite being without Jonas Hector, Mark Uth and Florian Dietz, who has picked up an ACL injury, initially made the better start to the game. 

“In the team meeting we spoke about Köln’s mentality and how it is not to be bettered,” commented Christian Streich. “Their team is so strong when it comes to putting adversity behind them, and we could only try to match their mentality, because we certainly weren’t going to better it.” 

SC grew into the game after a quarter of an hour, with Marvin Schwäbe having to work very hard to first keep out Ritsu Doan’s long-range effort and then Michael Gregoritsch’s attempt on the rebound (15’). The hosts then began to control much of the possession (65% after half an hour), but their attacking play was often awkward and lacking that final pass. As a result, SCF decided to try out a few long balls to pick out Michael Gregoritsch, and despite the Austrian winning many aerial battles, there was usually nobody there to win the second ball following his knockdowns. 

With the exception of a half-chance for Steffen Tigges following a Florian Kainz corner (40’) and Ellyes Shkiri’s effort from ten yards (42’), “Effzeh” made it equally as difficult for themselves in attack and the game remained goalless come the half-time whistle. 

Jeong opens the scoring after the break 

Both teams were completing their fifth consecutive week in which they had played two matches. Thanks to SC’s ability to make vast changes to the team in midweek, they certainly appeared the more refreshed of the two sides as the second half began, with FC having to work hard on Thursday as they were narrowly eliminated from the UEFA Europa Conference League. Michael Gregoritsch’s 47th-minute shot almost turned into a cross for Ritsu Doan, and his subsequent effort whizzed just inches over the crossbar.  

As they’ve already done so often this season, the fans in the Südtribune who could be seen behind the goal SCF were attacking in the second half certainly boosted the home side, and the team returned the favour by giving the crowd cause for celebration in the 53rd minute. Michael Gregoritsch sent Wooyeong Jeong on his way, and the South Korean charged towards Schwäbe’s goal with real pace and finished coolly with a left-footed shot that went in off the inside of the post from 15 yards out, making it 1-0 to Freiburg. 

After Mark Flekken had denied Linton Maina the equaliser on two occasions just a few minutes later (60’, 61’), Michael Gregoritsch then did what he gets paid to do in the 64th minute. He powerfully headed Christian Günter’s glorious cross from the left-hand side into the back of the net from close range to double his side’s advantage. 

“We played very well once again today, and in the end, we deserved the win. I’m absolutely thrilled for the team,” said SC head coach Christian Streich after the game. His team conceded close to no chances in the closing phases of the game and were deservedly 2-0 winners against a tired Köln side. Freiburg’s Bundesliga campaign continues this coming Wednesday (20:30 CET) away to RB Leipzig, and their final match before the winter break is at home to Union Berlin on Sunday (17:30 CET). 

Photos: Achim Keller