“We require discipline and patience in order to make an impact on the game and have our moments,” predicted Julian Schuster ahead of his side’s Sunday evening clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach. The SC head coach hit the nail on the head as Freiburg certainly received a test in remaining patient at Borussia-Park.

Freiburg’s coaching staff made two changes from their line-up that started the 1-1 draw away to Bologna in the Europa League. Johan Manzambi returned to Bundesliga action after serving a suspension, although initially was named on the bench as Lucas Höler replaced him in the role behind the striker. Club captain Christian Günter came back in from the off at left-back as Jordy Makengo dropped out.

Cyriaque Irié was one again unavailable for selection. The Burkina Faso international will be out until further notice due to a malaria infection. The forward is not contagious and is on the road to recovery after a spell in hospital. The exact timing of his return to team training remains to be seen.

Günter and Lienhart mop up at the back

The first sign of threat at Borussia-Park arrived via a long-distance effort when Maximilian Eggestein let fly a rasping drive from 20 yards out following a throw-in. Down the other end, Jens Castrop then came only half a yard away from latching onto a Florian Neuhaus cross.

The home side seemed particularly focused on making sure the opening minutes remained controlled and stable from their perspective, after the Foals shipped six goals in front of their own fans against Eintracht Frankfurt the previous weekend. Eugen Polanski’s side sought to go about things with increased courage halfway through the first period. Firstly, Christian Günter was needed to throw himself in the way of a Rocco Reitz effort from a promising position (28’), before Philipp Lienhart slid in to crucially clear the ball away when Neuhaus surged through on goal. With 46 minutes of football played, the two teams headed into the changing rooms equal both on the score board and in terms of possession.

Manzambi subbed on but still it remains goalless

Höler did not emerge for the second half, with the Freiburg coaching staff opting to bring on Manzambi in his place. Nevertheless, it was the hosts who recorded the first attack following the break, with Neuhaus ultimately testing Noah Atubolu from 22 yards out (47’). Niklas Beste then found himself making an unfamiliar offensive contribution for his side on 56 minutes as his header following a Junior Adamu cross only evaded the upright by half a yard.

Freiburg found it tough to break down a compact Borussia back line at the end of yet another jam-packed week’s schedule. “I had the feeling that we could have linked up more effectively in certain moments and also made better decisions. I am already frustrated about that,” analysed Julian Schuster after full time.

SC could also not profit from their strength at set-pieces on this particular evening. On 66 minutes, Beste was able to deliver into the box under zero pressure following a pre-rehearsed variation on a dead ball, supplied by Günter. The cross found its way over former Freiburg midfielder Yannik Engelhardt and to Manzambi at the back of the crowd, who only just missed the chance to put his side ahead, directing his attempt over the bar from 11 yards.

After Atubolu then comfortably diverted a shot on the turn from Neuhaus around the post (73’), Adamu was subsequently only just unable to get onto the end of a masterfully guided chipped pass from Manzambi, although the striker did appear to be in an offside position (76’). Shortly afterwards, Derry Scherhant then came closest of anyone to scoring when his direct free-kick attempt towards the near top corner was pushed onto the crossbar by the fingertips of Gladbach stopper Moritz Nicolas (83’).

“I believe we had the better chances during the second half and that could have turned the game in our favour,” explained Schuster. “It was something of a different story before the break. We have to accept the point but will gladly take it back home with us.”

The hosts were handed a stroke of fortune in the last minute of stoppage time when Castrop seemed to bring down Manzambi in the penalty area; however, referee Daniel Schlager did not blow his whistle for a foul. That meant SC would head into the international break placed eighth in the standings with the point gained in Mönchengladbach. Freiburg are now unbeaten in six straight competitive fixtures and next host Eintracht Frankfurt at the Europa-Park Stadion on Sunday, 19th October (kick-off 15:30 CEST).

Marius Faller

Photo: DeFodi Images