Baden-Duell in Freiburg ends level

Freiburg and Hoffenheim played out a tense 1-1 draw in an all-Baden clash at Europa-Park Stadion.

In a Baden-Duell in Breisgau, Freiburg and Hoffenheim were aiming to pick up their third win of the season, with both sides carrying an identical record of two wins and two losses in the Bundesliga.

Today’s hosts dispatched Hoffenheim 3-2 in the corresponding fixture back in April, and the visitors were determined to carry on what has been a strong start to the season in comparison to last term against a Freiburg side fresh off the back of a 2-1 Europa League win against Basel.

Though it was Freiburg who started the best, with the hosts opening the scoring in just the third minute. 

Junior Adamu met a delicious Vincenzo Grifo corner, sending the ball back into the danger area for Lukas Kübler to prod the ball home. After the goal was originally ruled out for offside, a VAR check adjudged the right-back to be onside inside the box, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. 

The visitors looked to respond immediately, with Andrej Kramaric sending a well-struck volley towards goal that was well saved by Noah Atubolu despite the ball flying through a crowd of bodies. 

Hoffenheim, though, were desperate to prove that they are a different prospect when compared to the side that faced Freiburg back in April. 

Christian Ilzer’s men struck back in the 12th minute, when Vladimir Coufal caught out a lackadaisical Grifo in Freiburg’s half, stealing the ball before sliding the ball across to Fisnik Asllani, who simply couldn’t miss inside the six-yard box. 

The youngster’s goal was his fourth of the season after a sensational loan spell with Elversberg in the 2. Bundesliga last term. 

And it was the visitors who would remain on top for the remainder of the first half. A momentary pause due to a clash of heads between goalscorer Kübler and Bernardo gave Freiburg some respite and a chance to collect their heads, though Hoffenheim remained on top. 

Bernardo would require a bandage following what was a hefty clash between the pair, while goalscorer Kübler would be forced off in the 38th minute. The veteran full-back was replaced by Phillipp Treu, who made his return to Freiburg from St. Pauli in the summer.

Freiburg were unable to gain any real territory following the Hoffenheim equaliser, and the second period began similarly – though the control of the visitors had weakened.

The hosts began to liven up on the pitch, and the atmosphere coincided, with Ostserhage forcing a corner after an effort from the edge of the box. With just over 20 minutes to play, Freiburg’s energy levels had finally reached those of the opening few minutes. 

Hoffenheim continued to search for Banzouma Traore when in possession; however, Freiburg did well to get bodies around the winger, clocked as the fastest man in the Bundesliga.

However, neither side was able to wrestle full control of the remaining minutes from the other. Though Hoffenheim may have looked more threatening, there was no real sign of a goal coming. 

Tim Lemperle had a huge chance in the 87th minute after twisting and turning past Antony Jung; however, the onrushing Atubolu made what would be a decisive save to deny the 23-year-old.

Schuster and Ilzer’s men searched for a winner; however, the clash came to an end after three minutes of added time with the scores level at 1-1.

Both sides added a draw to their identical records, leaving Freiburg in 7th and Freiburg in 9th as things stand ahead of the remaining two matches today.