Three of the four Freiburg players called up to the Germany squad by head coach Jürgen Klopp started SC’s final game before the three-week international break. Philipp Treu, Yannik Engelhardt and Derry Scherhant were all named in an unchanged starting XI following the home win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The hosts, meanwhile, started all three players who had scored Frankfurt’s seven previous league goals this season between them: Younes Ebnoutalib, Jonathan Burkardt and Can Uzun. Ebnoutalib and Burkardt would both find the net again against Freiburg. There was also a familiar face in the Frankfurt goal in Noah Atubolu. “Atu” was quickly reunited with his former Freiburg teammates, who launched an early attack on the Eintracht goal soon after kick-off. A free kick and a corner came to nothing, however.

Behind for the first time this Bundesliga season

Derry Scherhant went a little closer in the fourth minute with a shot from the edge of the area. SC were looking to end a run of eight matches without a win against Eintracht, but the hosts went against this script by scoring with their first attack of the game in the tenth minute. Burkardt got away down the left before Ritsu Doan found the unmarked Ebnoutalib, who put Frankfurt ahead (10’).

Eintracht immediately dropped back into their defensive shape after taking the lead, closed off the space and rarely allowed SC to launch any meaningful attacks. Freiburg managed to stretch the play in the 20th minute, when they created their first good opportunity. Igor Matanovic met Niklas Beste’s cross with an acrobatic effort. Engelhardt was waiting to pounce just in front of Atubolu, but the goalkeeper gathered safely.

SC push for the equaliser

Atubolu also kept out Freiburg’s next chance, which Matanovic did brilliantly to create. He held off three Frankfurt players inside his own half before playing a long ball forward to Beste, who tried a low shot. Atubolu turned it behind for a corner, from which Engelhardt was left unmarked to head towards goal. His effort went over, but SC were pushing for the equaliser and their pressure soon paid off. Jordy Makengo played the ball into the path of Scherhant, and the winger cut inside before placing an effort into the corner (34’).

However, the celebrations in the Freiburg end had barely died down when the home crowd were on their feet again. Just two minutes after the equaliser, Burkardt restored Frankfurt’s lead. SCF were unable to clear a corner and Burkardt reacted quickest, slotting home from close range to make it 2-1. Shortly before half time, Scherhant forced his former teammate into an outstanding save with a well-struck free kick from 24 yards. Atubolu got his fingertips to the ball before it struck the post.

Flying start to the second half

SC found the net again immediately after the restart to level for a second time. Makengo and Scherhant were involved once more, this time as providers. Makengo slipped the ball through on the left, Scherhant picked out his man with an inch-perfect cross into the box and Yuito Suzuki struck home a volley at the far post to make it 2-2 (48’).

It was now an end-to-end, entertaining encounter. Eintracht had begun to show greater attacking intent, yet the next good chance fell to SC. Suzuki found Scherhant, who hit the side netting from the left of the area (54’). Five minutes later, Makengo, who had played a part in both Freiburg goals, missed the chance to add a third when he failed to make the right contact on the ball in the box. At the other end, Ritsu Doan came within inches of restoring Frankfurt’s lead (60’).

“It was end to end. It’s frustrating that we fell behind twice, but brilliant that we managed to fight back both times. It’s always a tough game in Frankfurt, but we could have got more out of today's match,” said Scherhant, who was later named Man of the Match.

Two chances for the hosts in quick succession

The game remained very open, with both sides pushing for a third goal. For a period, SC had the more clear-cut chances, before Mio Backhaus produced a strong save to deny Burkardt and prevent Freiburg from falling behind for a third time. Just seconds later, Uzun fired narrowly wide. The 20-year-old then hit the side netting following a quick counterattack.

The attacking approach from both sides had taken its toll. Eintracht dropped deeper in the closing stages, while SCF, now with Vincenzo Grifo, Lukas Kübler, Keisuke Goto and Lucas Höler on the pitch, looked for gaps in the defence and for a winning goal. Höler went close with a header in the 85th minute, but Eintracht also had an opportunity to score at the other end.

The draw means SC head into the international break unbeaten in seven competitive matches. Julian Schuster is now looking forward to the chance to recharge, as he explained after the final whistle: “I’m now looking forward to being able to switch off for a few days. This was a breathless and exciting game today. We were in control from the start and then fell behind with their first shot on goal. It was impressive that we managed to come from behind twice. It's not easy when you feel like you’ve got the game under control and then go behind twice. We survived Eintracht’s two best spells. We would have liked to have got more out of the game, but we put in a good performance today in a stadium that can create such an atmosphere.”

Photo: Arne Amberg