Freiburg (AP) – Freiburg’s record goal scorer Nils Petersen has spoiled Borussia Mönchengladbach’s chance in the race for a Champions League place. The substituted-in former soccer striker led SC Freiburg on Friday evening to 1: 0 (0: 0) against the top class contender. With a header on his first action, Petersen scored the only goal of the game (58th minute).
At the start of the 30th matchday, the Gladbachers did not use their superiority of the first half to put pressure on the competition. Striker Alassane Plea also weakened his team with a yellow-red card (68th) and will therefore miss the guest appearance at Bayern Munich. Sports director Max Eberl was then sent with a red card from the substitute bank for complaining. In the table, Gladbachers are initially fourth tied with fifth Bayer Leverkusen.
Coach Christian Streich’s Freiburg team managed their first win in the fifth game after the Corona break. The Breisgau may look at a Europa League place.
Despite Borussia’s initially clear superiority, national team player Luca Waldschmidt, who was the only one who was new to the starting eleven a week ago against Leverkusen a week ago, even had the chance to put the hosts in the lead. His shot from around ten meters went clearly over the goal (9th).
The Gladbachers attacked early and developed more and more game control and dominance. However, the Champions League contender was also unable to take advantage of the greatest chance in a competitive first half. After a shot by Patrick Herrmann, Florian Neuhaus extended the ball into the net – but was offside (26.). A good ten minutes later it was Neuhaus again who failed after a header from Lars Stindl with a lob.
Christian Streich coached his Freiburg enthusiastically from the sidelines. With great effort, his team prevented the gap – and even had the surprising chance of taking the lead just before half-time. Lucas Höler aimed too far from the edge of the penalty area to overcome Gladbach’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
The first chance after the restart also belonged to the sports club: A long-range shot by international player Robin Koch narrowly missed the post – summer would have been no chance (49th). On the other hand, Philipp Lienhart saved Marcus Thuram, who was ready to fire.
After less than an hour, Streich changed aggressively – and was promptly rewarded. Substitute Petersen headed in after a free kick from Vincenzo Grifo with his first ball contact for the lead. Gladbach was now challenged, but he was offensive but no longer as superior as in the first half.
The yellow-red card for Plea, who had been warned in the first half for striking the ball, further weakened the Gladbachers. The Freiburg were now superior and could even have increased to 2: 0. Höler failed with a header on Sommer (84.), Grifos Pass on a counter chance was too sloppy (88.).
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