Spoils shared in Baden derby

First Team
24.04.2021

SC Freiburg settled for a 1-1 draw against TSG Hoffenheim on Matchday 31 in the Bundesliga. Vincenzo Grifo scored from the penalty spot in the 81st minute to cancel out Andrej Kramaric’s opener (40’).

"I expected a confident Hoffenheim today. Our passing wasn’t good enough in the first half, but it was difficult against a deep-lying opponent. We worked our way into the game, I’m satisfied with the result because we came back against a good team,” summarised head coach Christian Streich at full time. "It was obvious that Freiburg would have their phase of pressure at some point. We should have scored the second soon, that frustrates me. In the end, it was a high-quality draw," said TSG coach Sebastian Hoeneß.

Unlike their opponents, SC were not in midweek action this week due to the postponed Hertha BSC match. As a result, Streich made just one change to the team that beat Schalke 04 last weekend; Yannik Keitel came in to the team in place of the suspended Baptiste Santamaria. 

Even first half until Kramaric strikes
Hoffenheim began with a high intensity, but were unable to penetrate an equally determined Freiburg defence early on. Indeed, it was the hosts who had the first flash at goal when Nicolas Höler’s powerful shot from the edge of the box took a deflection and fell kindly into the hands of Oliver Baumann (12’). At the other end, Robert Skov rattled the crossbar with the visitors’ first chance (25’).

SC grew into the game and sought to apply quick pressure on the TSG defence, while building patiently in possession. Chances were lacking, however, and it was Kaderabek and Kramaric (3’, 31’) who had the best chances on goal. While the Freiburg defence stood firm this time, they were unable to prevent the opening goal from falling shortly before the break. Ihlas Bebou burst down the right wing before firing a perfect cross from the byline to the back post where Kramaric was waiting to head in. 

SC start the second half well

Freiburg were improved after the break and nearly equalised soon in the second period from a well-worked free-kick. Jonathan Schmid chipped a ball into the six-yard box, which Lucas Höler then got on the end of. His shot, however, hit the underside of the crossbar. Emerdin Demirovic then put the rebound into the back of the net, but this was ruled out for offside (53’).
Demirovic then had Freiburg’s next clear-cut chance, bursting past two Hoffenheim defenders on the edge of the box and testing out ex-SC keeper Baumann with a powerful shot (69’).
The visitors were still dangerous on the break, though. Andrej Kramaric couldn’t convert from a decent position, missing the target (56’).

Sub Grifo scores from the spot

Freiburg were more dangerous as the game went on and were awarded a penalty ten minutes before the final whistle thanks to VAR. Kevin Vogt, who had just come on, brought down Demirovic in the box. Even though referee Manuel Gräfe took a while to watch the incident back, it was a clear foul. Vincenzo Grifo – back in the squad after his COVID-19 infection – stepped up and hammered into the top corner (81’).
It was an intriguing match right up until the final minute of injury time, but neither side could force a winner. Thanks to today’s point and Bremen losing in Berlin, Freiburg are now mathematically safe.
Christian Streich’s side are next in action on Thursday, 6th May (18:30 CEST) away to Hertha BSC

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