Christian Streich expected a “brutally difficult” test in Sinsheim and his prediction turned out to be correct. It was an intense match against TSG and patience was very much the order of the day.

There we no changes from the side that beat Olympiacos 3-0 in the week and Ritsu Doan, who picked up a knock against the Greek outfit, was also fit enough to start the match. It took just 16 seconds for the Japan international to get involved in the game, when he took advantage of some sloppy play by Kevin Vogt deep in the opposition half. He couldn’t quite find Michael Gregoritsch with the following pass and the chance went begging (1’).

TSG’s first opportunity of the contest came with ten minutes of the clock, when centre-back Ozan Kabak tried his luck from around 18 yards (10’). The 22-year-old, however, failed to hit the target. Flekken was called into action just a minute later, when Prömel got into a good position inside the Freiburg penalty area. The Freiburg keeper was up to the challenge and he palmed it away for a corner (11’).

Baumann celebrates milestone

Flekken’s opposite number Oliver Baumann made his 400th Bundesliga appearance on Sunday, 131 of which came for Freiburg. The 32-year-old, who grew up in Breisach, was also looking for his 100th clean sheet. He was tested for the first time with 16 minutes on the clock when Ritsu Doan shot from a tight angle, but the veteran dealt with the danger (16’).

As predicted, it was a very even contest in the opening stages, but Daniel-Kofi Kyereh came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half. His shot, however, narrowly missed the target and the scores remained level (20’). Just 60 seconds later, Flekken had to make another good save to deny Prömel from close-range (21’). Despite Thursday’s trip to Greece, there was no sign of fatigue amongst the Freiburg players, something which Christian Streich was pleased with after the game: “It’s good that we remained solid. I really have to give my side credit for the conviction with which they played today,” explained the boss.

Günter comes close but breakthrough eludes both sides

Both sides defended resolutely and it was difficult to forge opportunities from close-range. SC’s skipper Christian Günter tried to seize the initiative with an effort from around 20 yards out, but he very narrowly missed the target (29’). Freiburg weren’t as dangerous from set-pieces as they were in the week and their best opportunities in the first half against TSG mainly came from distance. It was a quiet final quarter of an hour of the first half and the sides went in level at the break.

Hoffenheim got off to the better start in the second half and they were presented with a good opportunity almost straight away. Angelino flicked Kramaric’s cross onto Christoph Baumgartner, who found himself in a good position around 10 yards from goal. The midfielder, however, failed to hit the target (46’). Andrej Kramaric then had an effort from a tight angle, but he also failed to test Flekken (55’). “It’s difficult to stop Hoffenheim from having chances because they have so much quality in their side. This is what we expected. Hoffenheim are very solid and we had to give it everything but we also had some good moments,” explained Streich after the game.

A trio of chances on the hour

It took SCF a while to get going in the second half, but they eventually fashioned a couple of chances just before the hour mark. Kevin Vogt blocked a Günter shot (58’), before Maximilian Eggestein missed the target from around 15 yards (60’). Gregoritsch then had a headed chance three minutes later, but Baumann remained untroubled (63’).

Spurred on by the raucous travelling support, Streich’s side pushed for the winner in the closing stages and the gaffer also brought on some fresh legs in an attempt to find the breakthrough, but unfortunately for SCF, it never came. Ultimately, both sides had to settle for a point. Next up for Freiburg after the international break is a home game against Mainz 05 (Saturday, 1st October 15:30 CEST).

Photo: Achim Keller