Vincenzo Grifo was gifted a framed jersey as he reached the impressive milestone of 300 games in an SCF shirt. This was to be one of the few highlights of the day from an SC perspective, however. Freiburg made one change from their previous outing in Mainz, as Michael Gregoritsch, who scored while on international duty with Austria, came in to play alongside Lucas Höler in attack.

The first 14 minutes of the game went without any real highlights, or even any real chances at either end. Instead, SCF had to show their defensive acumen as Union started full of attacking intent. It was not a surprise that the first shot on goal came from the league’s 13th-placed side. Andrej Ilic tested Noah Atubolu from around 16 yards out after some direct attacking play, but Atubolu saved well (14’). His opposite number Frederik Rønnow was called into action for the first time in the 25th minute. It had to be a good save too, as Grifo’s free kick from around 20 yards out on the right was flying dangerously towards the Union goal, even if it was maybe too central. This was Freiburg’s first chance of the game.

Höler nets the opener but Union hit back straight away

After both teams had each had one good opportunity, the goals began to arrive. In the 29th minute, Ritsu Doan advanced forward on the right flank and played it through to Grifo on the byline, and he fired a low ball into the six-yard box. Höler arrived unchallenged to turn it over the line and open the scoring. While the Freiburg fans were still celebrating though, the away side managed to get themselves on level terms. Rani Khedira equalised with a low shot from the edge of the box (31’).

It was now an open encounter where SCF were mostly playing well up until they reached the opponents’ penalty area, when they became too sloppy. The visitors were having the better of the chances. In the 41st minute, Tim Skarke got on the end of a long ball forward and was free to let fly from around 15 yards out. The shot was not well-placed enough though, allowing Atubolu made a strong save. There was a moment of concern just before half time as Philipp Lienhart and Atubolu were involved in a heavy collision. The Freiburg ‘keeper received treatment, and was initially able to carry on.

Ilic completes the turnaround and Atubolu taken off with injury

Union made a lightning-fast start to the second half. Skarke whipped in a cross from the right, and Ilic was left with too much space to head unchallenged into the SC net (48’). “Union scored at the right points in the game,” said Grifo after the match. Head coach Julian Schuster felt similarly. “We scored a great goal, but we should have held on to our lead. Instead, we conceded too soon after. We didn’t defend well enough in the crucial moments.” Another blow came not long after the second goal, as SCF lost their starting goalkeeper. Atubolu was unable to continue after his first-half collision, and Florian Müller replaced him in between the sticks.

Müller was not tested at first, and was able to watch as SC had two chances in quick succession. Grifo was firstly denied by a good reaction save from Rønnow (60’), before Lienhart’s header from the resulting corner flew just over the bar. Freiburg were pushing for the equaliser, but were up against a defensively-solid Union team who looked to counter quickly after winning the ball back. In the 73rd minute, Benedict Hollerbach went off on a run after winning it in midfield, and called Müller into action for the first time. The substitute saved confidently though. Soon after, Ilic arrived at the near post and headed towards goal, but it went narrowly wide.

SCF were having to be patient. Promising situations repeatedly developed down the right, but they led to too few shooting opportunities. Grifo’s clever low ball towards the six-yard box was cleared away with five minutes to go. Union hardly conceded any more chances. “We said at half time that we’d have to be patient. We didn’t have enough space to attack after falling behind,” said Grifo.

It was now only heading in one direction, including in the six minutes of injury time. Matthias Ginter had long since vacated his position at centre-back to try and be a presence in the Union box, but even he couldn’t find that big moment. “We tried everything in the second half,” said Schuster. It was not a successful day for Grifo, who only had an assist from his 300th competitive game in SC colours.

Photo: Achim Keller