It was fourth against fifth in Leipzig as two cup semi-finalists went head to head. The stage was all set for a brilliant match. There were four changes to the starting eleven from the Pokal tie with Bochum in midweek. In midfield, Janik Haberer replaced Nicolas Höfler who was suspended after collecting too many yellow cards. Lucas Höler and Ermedin Demirovic began up top in place of Nils Petersen and Wooyeong Jeong while Manuel Gulde was also in the line-up down the right flank as Kevin Schade dropped to the bench. Freiburg set out with a 3-5-2 formation.

"A win in Leipzig - that would really be something", said Christian Streich ahead of the game. He summed up his thoughts after the match too: “A win for us wouldn't necessarily have been undeserved, even if you have to admit that Leipzig earned the draw.” Both teams looked lively in the early going but the action was predominantly played between the boxes as neither side looked to avoid any mistakes.

Freiburg threatened for the first time after 11 minutes of play. Nico Schlotterbeck hit a weak effort from 25 yards and RBL ‘keeper Peter Gulacsi palmed the ball forwards, grabbing it before an attacker could take advantage of the rebound. Freiburg were the busier team though and a corner kick from Günter found Schlotterbeck in the middle. Gulacsi was there to make the save again, however. With half an hour gone the hosts were still yet to have a meaningful effort at the Freiburg goal.

Demirovic opens the scoring

The remainder of the first half continued to be played mostly in the midfield. There wasn't much space to be found and both teams' backlines stood firm. Schlotterbeck erred slightly in the 32nd minute allowing Yussuf Poulsen time to find Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman's chip missed the target in what was the only first-half chance of note for the home team. Lady luck was then on Freiburg’s side as a Leipzig player inadvertently knocked the ball into the path of Demirovic who had time and space in front of goal. The striker remained cool to lob Gulacsi and put his side ahead (38’).

Leipzig crank up the pressure

The second half began with plenty of possession for Leipzig but the visitors remained compact and barely allowed any space around their own area. Flekken was also on hand to avert any danger. In the 55th minute, Leipzig forward Emil Forsberg looked to make the breakthrough but was unable to control the ball which ended up in the arms of the grateful Flekken. Ten minutes later, Schlotterbeck had to leave the field with an injury. Chances remained few and far between with the hosts enjoying far more possession as Freiburg started to surrender the ball more quickly.

77 minutes were on the clock when Flekken was finally called into real action – twice in quick succession. First he stopped Forsberg’s effort from a tight angle before making another save to prevent André Silva’s header.

But Domenico Tedesco’s men just wouldn't lie down. They continued to apply pressure going into the final minutes and although Freiburg defended well on the whole, they switched off for a moment and were punished. In the 90 minute Angelino found the ball at his feet in the penalty box and, with time and space to shoot, fired home an effort that left Flekken helpless. All square again, right at the death. “To concede late on is tough. We knew that it would be difficult and we fought hard for 90 minutes,” said Freiburg’s number 1. “In terms of commitment and energy, the team put in an outstanding performance,” added Streich. “In the second half we didn't have any more scoring opportunities of our own, but we also didn't give many away to Leipzig.”

Photo: Susann Friedrich