After an early lead for the guests through Roland Sallai (10'), Marcus Thuram turned the game around with a brace (53', 60'). A goal by Keven Schlotterbeck in the final seconds of the game was disallowed in the build-up (90+5'). Gladbach also saw one chalked off in the 69th minute.

"We are of course very disappointed. We had a great first half and had some great chances," SC coach Christian Streich said afterwards. "When you look at the whole 90 minutes, it's a very bitter defeat for us today."

Demirovic, Keitel, Schlotterbeck and Schmid all start

After the 2-0 win against Augsburg before the international break, Christian Streichreturned to a five-man defense and made four changes to the starting XI.

In front of goalkeeper Florian Müller, Keven Schlotterbeck was one of three centre backs alongside Philipp Lienhart and Manuel Gulde. Jonathan Schmid replaced Lukas Kübler at right-back, and Yannik Keitel came in for the suspended Nicolas Höfler in defensive midfield alongside Baptiste Santamaria. Ermedin Demirovic was named in attack.

Vincenzo Grifo did not travel with the team after another Coronavirus test, which had returned a positive result with a low virus concentration after returning from international duty with the Italian national team. Meanwhile, Lukas Kübler and Guus Til were named on the bench.

First chance, first goal for SC

After some solid teamwork at the back, the visiting SCF took an early lead with their first chance at the other end. Captain Christian Günter attacked down the left-hand side and found Demirovic. The Bosnian international played in Roland Sallai, who managed to beat Gladbach goalkeeper Sommer (10’).

The goal gave Freiburg a boost, and it could have been even more just moments later. Lucas Höler missed from close range (15'), before Sallai also failed to double the lead, this time Sommer coming out on top (22').

The chances didn't dry up for the away side: Santamaria was denied twice before Demirovic saw his effort stopped by Sommer (35'). With Gladbach unable to overcome the impressive young Keitel and the Freiburg defence, the Sport-Club took a narrow yet well-deserved lead into the break.

Gladbach score quick brace

Freiburg came out of the break unchanged, and like in the first half, the ball was in the back of the net early on. This time it was the home side who scored, Marcus Thuram’s shot taking an unfortunate deflection off Baptiste Santamaria, leaving Müller helpless (53’).

Just seven minutes later, Thuram was celebrating again, having rounded Müller and slotted home to turn the game in an instant.

With the game rearing its conclusion, Schlotterbeck equalised for SCF, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR, adjudging that Höler had been in an offside position during the build up to the goal. It was the second time of the game that VAR had chalked off a goal, Gladbach’s Lainer penalised for a foul on Manuel Gulde.

Burkart with Bundesliga debut

"You shouldn't lose a game like today, it's unsatisfactory. Due to one or two mistakes and a bit of bad luck, it's ended in defeat for us," said Christian Streich. "However, we have to keep going."

Despite the result, there will certainly be one player who will not forget the game in a hurry. Attacker Nishan Burkart replaced Sallai in the 79th minute to make the first ever Bundesliga appearance of his career.

Freiburg are on the road again next weekend, as they will look to bounce back with a win against Arminia Bielefeld on Friday at 20:30 CEST.