Late goal sinks Werkself in Freiburg

It is and remains a tough season. In a repeat of the match at RB Leipzig two weeks ago, the Werkself lost 2-1 away to SC Freiburg with the winner coming late on. Tayfun Korkut's team improved on a mediocre first half after the break as they fought their way back into the game. However, Leverkusen hopes were dashed on 88 minutes with Freiburg's Patrick Stenzel netting the decider.

Tayfun Korkut again had to make do without Jonathan Tah (rehab training), Lars Bender (ankle) and Hakan Calhanoglu (CAS ban) for the Freiburg game and Tin Jedvaj was also unavailable as his dismissal in the 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich meant he had to serve a one-match ban. On the plus side, the Bayer 04 coach was able to call on Chicharito for the first time since the middle of March following his recovery from a thigh injury. The Mexican replaced Charles Aránguiz in the starting line-up and Alexander Dragovic came in for the suspended Jedvaj in central defence.

Early wonder strike

Freiburg started with grit and determination and allowed the Werkself little space particularly in build-up play. After 11 minutes, Freiburg's Mike Frantz succeeded in playing a perfect pass to Nils Petersen who fired in a shot from 12 yards out into the bottom right corner leaving Bernd Leno with no chance in the Werkself net. Petersen had another chance shortly after that but Leno was able to make the save to prevent Bayer 04 going two down.
The Werkself countered and had their first chance with Kevin Volland testing the Freiburg keeper Alexander Schwolow with a long-range effort on 16 minutes. The Werkself then had more of the ball but clear-cut chances on goal were few and far between. That was also due in part to the hard-running hosts playing deeper after taking the lead and relying on counter-attacks. The fact that the team in sixth place in the top flight were unable to extend their lead was due to the alert Bayer 04 defence. The two sides went into the half-time break with Bayer 04 1-0 down.

Werkself fight way back into game

The Werkself fought their way back into the game after the restart and gradually gained the upper hand. The reward for the increased effort came on the hour mark. Freiburg's Alexander Ignjovski was too late with a sliding tackle in the box and he only succeeded in bringing down Volland. Referee Dr Felix Brych did not hesitate to award a penalty. Volland grabbed the ball and fired the spot-kick into the bottom right corner to level the scores at 1-1.

The game developed into an entertaining affair in front of a capacity crowd at the Schwarzwald Stadium in excellent weather. The Werkself were unlucky on 64 minutes when Volland hit the outside of the post with another long-range effort. There was also luck at the other end of the pitch with Wendell keeping out a shot from Janik Haberer with his knee on 67 minutes. The Brazilian was on the right spot again five minutes later to prevent Petersen netting a second.

Just as the game appeared to be heading for a draw Freiburg substitute Havard Nielsen picked out Ignjovski and he put Pascal Stenzel through who then outran Wendell and placed his shot in the far corner to give the hosts a 2-1 lead. The Freiburg team coached by Christian Streich held on to the late lead with Bayer 04 unable to get back on equal terms.

The Werkself remain twelfth in the table with a four-point lead over the team in the play-off spot. Bayer 04 are back in action on Friday night (20.30 CET) when Schalke 04 visit the BayArena.
Match stats:
SC Freiburg: Schwolow – Günter, Söyüncü, Kempl, Ignjovski – Frantz, Höfler – Bulut (Stenzel 85’), Haberer ( Guedé 91’) – Petersen (Nielsen 76’), Niederlechner

Bayer 04: Leno – Hilbert, Dragovic, Toprak, Wendell – Baumgartlinger (Pohjanpalo 90’), Kampl – Havertz (Aránguiz 79’), Brandt – Chicharito (Bailey 61’), Volland

Goals: 1-0 Petersen (11’), 1-1 Volland (59’ pen.), 2-1 Stenzel (88’)

Booked: Kempf, Ignjovski / Hilbert (first yellow card), Bailey (first.)

Referee: Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)

Attendance: 24,000 (sell-out)