A 78th-minute penalty decision, which, from a Freiburg perspective, could at least be considered unlucky, decided Wednesday evening’s game in Leipzig. After Leipzig initially dominated proceedings, their third goal came at a time where SC were playing just as well as their hosts and had an equaliser in sight. However, Forsberg’s penalty for 3-1 killed any remaining hope of SCF taking points away with them. 

Both teams went into this matchday 14 fixture with differing tactical setups. Whilst Freiburg decided to sit deep and allowed RBL lots of the ball, the home team set out with a high press to try and disrupt Freiburg’s build up play high up the pitch. 

One change was made to the starting XI who won 2-0 over 1. FC Köln. Kiliann Sildillia came into the side for Vincenzo Grifo, as a four-back system became a three-back system. Ritsu Doan switched from his preferred right-wing position to the left of the midfield pivot, alongside Maximilian Eggestein. In possession, Sildillia, Christian Günter and one of the centre midfielders would push very high up the pitch, forming a bank of five deep in the opposition half. 

Nkunku chips it onto the bar 

“We tried to play with three at the back to prevent Leipzig from countering us,” explained Christian Streich after full time. Streich’s side had that of Marco Rose as good as under control in the opening stages of the game. However, Mark Flekken almost found himself picking the ball out of his own net after 16 minutes. Dominik Szoboszlai surprised the Freiburg defence with a quick free kick, leaving Christopher Nkunku free in front of the Dutchman’s goal. His chipped effort fortunately bounced off the woodwork. 

RB Leipzig, who continued to have to manage without the injured Timo Werner and Peter Gulacsi, were forced into a change on the 23-minute mark. Josko Gvardiol, who only came into the starting XI for Abdou Diallo at the last minute, picked up an injury and could not continue. 

He was replaced by Benjamin Henrichs before Wooyeong Jeong had a shot on goal from 15 metres just one minute later. André Silva (24') and Henrichs (28') subsequently went closer to a goal themselves. “We had close to no chances in the whole game, because we weren’t able to work it into the final third,” said Streich. 

Leipzig hit the post twice shortly before the break 

Leipzig also posed more of a scoring threat than SCF from set pieces. Dominik Szoboszlai picked out Willi Orban from a free kick in the 38th minute, and Flekken was just about able to tip his deflected header onto the post. The resulting corner saw the hosts hit the woodwork for the third time in the first half. Szoboszlai swung it in brilliantly towards the near post, and it was thanks to the woodwork that Flekken wasn’t beaten (39’). It remained goalless up until the break. 

Leipzig score a quickfire double  

The home side continued to dominate the game after half time. Flekken had to prove just why he’s already kept eight clean sheets this season, first in a one-on-one scenario with Christopher Nkunku (51’) and then from Dominik Szoboszlai’s long-range effort (52’). He was, however, powerless to Leipzig’s 54th and 56th-minute shots. Mohamed Simakan opened the scoring after some pinball in the box coming from a Leipzig corner, and then Nkunku doubled their advantage after some good work from Silva, and just like that it was 2-0. Silva then missed a huge chance for the hosts to score their third (58’). 

Streich reacted by bringing on four subs inside three minutes, but it was one of the starters who gave SCF some hope. Kiliann Sildilla’s throw-in caused trouble in the RBL box, and it was eventually cleared to Lukas Kübler, who hammered the ball into the top corner from 17 yards (66’). 

Exactly ten minutes and one header from Kevin Schade that went over the bar (73’) later, the game was put to bed. Nkunku went to ground in the box after coming together with Chicco Höler, and despite a long review, referee Harm Osmers stood by his original decision and awarded the penalty. Emil Forsberg converted for 3-1 (78’). The scoreboard in the stadium, viewed by the more-than-40,000 Leipzig fans in attendance, would remain unchanged.  

“Leipzig absolutely deserved to win. It’s the worst time to play against them right now,” analysed Christian Streich. SC Freiburg’s last match before the winter break sees them welcome Union Berlin to the Europa-Park Stadion on Sunday (17:30 CET).  

Photos: Susann Friedrich