Werkself review #B04SCF: No points despite Schick goal

Summary: Double whammy as turning point

The Werkself made a good start to the game with two new starters in the line-up and Kerem Demirbay scored the opener on 16 minutes. The hosts fought for every ball and took a narrow but deserved lead into half-time. Freiburg hit back after the restart and quickly turned the game round with goals from Matthias Ginter (48’) and Michael Gregoritsch (51’). Patrik Schick equalised on 65 minutes but SCF substitute Ritsu Doan put the new league leaders back in front with the winner at 3-2 (72’). HERE is the match report.

Reaction: "Simple to explain"

Robert Andrich shared the following explanation for the defeat after the game: “Two set-piece goals and an individual error: It’s simple to explain today’s defeat.” Asked about positives the team can take from the clash with Freiburg into the forthcoming matches, the 27-year-old midfielder said: “Being compact in the first half and the joy of playing we showed in spite of the two goals after half-time.”

“An annoying defeat. We played very well in the first half, above all in defence. At the end of the day, we lost the game because we didn’t show determination in defending in two or three situations as well as we did in the first half“, said head coach Gerardo Seoane at the post-match press conference.

Personnel: Assist on debut

Along with Charles Aránguiz and Sardar Azmoun, Callum Hudson-Odoi came onto the pitch at the BayArena for the first time on the hour mark. The new signing from Chelsea looked impressive in his debut for Bayer 04 - and he put in a pinpoint cross on 65 minutes for Patrik Schick to score the equaliser at 2-2 with a header. After his first appearance for Bayer 04, the winger from England said: “I would have liked a win in my first home game but unfortunately we didn’t do enough today. We have to continue to work hard and stick at it.”

Stats: Significantly more shots at goal

The two sides were level in terms of possession and challenges and the pass completion rate was around 85 per cent over the 90 minutes. The Werkself with 15 shots clearly had their noses in front of SCF (6) - but the Streich team succeeded in converting half of their chances into goals.

What the papers say: Efficient Freiburg

The sports journals primarily focus on the new league leaders from the Breisgau in their reports. BILD am Sonntag picks out an historic fact: “Freiburg are top of the table for the first time since matchday one in 2000/01.” The newspaper assesses the performances of Odilon Kossounou, Moussa Diaby and new signing Callum Hudson-Odoi with a rating of 2. The Rheinische Post identified the “incredible efficiency” of the visitors with three goals from three chances. The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger picked out the following in their matchday heading of That was good: “The defensive set-up in the first half and the energy with the change of system after going behind. Bayer 04 could have scored more goals in addition to the one making it 2-2. However, that was prevented by bad luck and a lack of accuracy.”

Outlook: First Club Brugge then Hertha Berlin

The Werkself have two away games after the home match against SC Freiburg. At the start of the UEFA Champions League campaign, the Black and Reds are away to the champions of Belgium Club Brugge on Wednesday 7 September (kick-off: 21.00 CEST). That is followed three days later by the Bundesliga fixture at Hertha Berlin. The kick-off at the Olympic Stadium in Berliner is at 15.30 CEST.