Six days after the historic 6-0 win in Mönchengladbach, Freiburg kicked off the start of another busy week at the Europa-Park Stadion. "I don’t think that anyone will let their focus slip from the result,” said Streich ahead of the battle between fourth and fifth place in the Bundesliga. It took Freiburg a few minutes before they realised they were in a game, but after that it was an intense clash with few chances but plenty of heated challenges. “It was a really even and intense game. It’s extremely tough to take because we were pleased with what the team showed today. A draw would have been fair,” said Streich as he assessed proceedings.

There were no changes to the Freiburg starting eleven, though two fresh faces were among the matchday squad. Back-up ‘keeper Benjamin Uphoff had to sit out with a bruised elbow and saw his spot on the bench taken up by Noah Atobolu, the regular starter for Freiburg reserves. Noah Weißhaupt also came into the squad, replacing Nishan Burkart.

Set-piece equaliser

With only 750 fans allowed inside the stadium due to the current coronavirus situation, every word the players said was audible around the ground. So too were David Raum’s shouts of celebration after he had put the visitors ahead after three minutes. Raum had plenty of room on the left side and he gave Flekken no chance as he struck it with the laces. Hoffenheim were in charge of the opening minutes and Freiburg only started playing after the first goal had gone in. Christian Günter and co. started to get into the game as they pressed forward for the first time. Maximilian Eggestein had our first attempt after eight minutes. It remained the only effort on goal for a while as Hoffenheim stood firm at the back.

The second chance came from a set-piece, and Nico Schlotterbeck was in position to head home the equaliser from Vinzenzo Grifo’s corner (21’). Yet another goal from a set play! Soon after, there were a pair of chances to go ahead, first through Kevin Schade’s effort from an angle before  Lucas Höler had a go with a long-range volley. Oliver Baumann made two good saves to keep the score level. There was still time for one more opportunity before half-time, as Grifo lofted in a great ball towards Günter from the left. Baumann was there to make the save once more (42’). A balanced first-half, and the sides went into the break deservedly even.

Grifo misses from the spot

Streich shook things up at half-time as he sent Manuel Gulde onto the pitch in place of Ermedin Demirovic. Freiburg switched to a back three as they put Hoffenheim under constant early pressure. Dangerous attacks were tough to come by, however, as the visiting side continued to defend resolutely. Flekken also had very little to do at the other end. Raum had a go from a Hoffenheim free-kick but couldn't find the target. Grifo then had the golden opportunity to put the hosts in front. Akpoguma fouled Günter, who was charging into the Hoffenheim box, and the referee pointed to the spot (62’). Grifo took the kick, but Baumann guessed right and managed to keep the ball from hitting the back of the net. Schade missed on the follow-up.

Substitute Georginio Rutter found his way into the box in the 70th minute but was stopped by an intervention from Schlotterbeck as he went to take the shot on. The Freiburg defender unfortunately had to be taken off with an injury. The guests began to look more potent in attack but still the attacks came to nothing. But then came the hammer blow in the final seconds. Lukas Kübler’s shot was blocked and the pinball that followed saw Hoffenheim awarded a dubious corner. There to meet the ball was Richards, who headed in for 2-1. A bitter, unfortunate end to the game. “The defeat hurts twice as much when the game is decided by a moment like that at the end,” lamented Streich after the final whistle.

Freiburg have the chance to put things right this coming Wednesday against Union Berlin. "Now we have to keep going, travel to Berlin and just keep playing like we have so far this season,” said the Freiburg head coach.