VfL Wolfsburg’s eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end on Bundesliga Matchday 14 as they lost 3-2 at SC Freiburg on Friday evening. The Wolves had their backs to the wall on the hour mark as they trailed by three goals, but Freiburg were hanging on by the end after goals from two VfL substitutes.
Goals
1-0 Kübler (42’): Just as the first half appeared to be petering out, the home side take the lead. Vincenzo Grifo swings a corner towards the near post, where Lucas Höler fails to make proper contact with the ball. Fortunately from a Freiburg perspective, it lands right at the feet of Lukas Kübler, who slams it into the net from point-blank range.
2-0 Kübler (51’): Freiburg double their lead from another corner. Again it’s Kübler who gets on the end of a flick-on from Grifo’s corner, sending a header high into the net from close range.
3-0 Gregoritsch (61’): The hosts extend their lead as Ritsu Doan’s cross from a central area is headed on into the far corner by Michael Gregoritsch.
3-1 Wind (75’): Wind gives VfL a glimmer of hope! Ridle Baku skips down the right-hand side before passing low to Yannick Gerhardt, whose dummy sets up the Danish striker. The substitute turns his marker and sends a precise low shot into the far corner.
3-2 Svanberg (83’): Time for a late equaliser, perhaps? Maximilian Arnold sends a free-kick into the Freiburg area and Gerhardt beats Höler in an aerial duel to set up Svanberg, who scores with a spectacular bicycle kick. The effort is given after a brief VAR check – only one goal in it with a few minutes left to play.
Reaction
Ralph Hasenhüttl: “We had the better chances in the first half but unfortunately we didn’t manage to score. Despite going behind, in the second half I had the feeling we could get something from the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough today against a good opponent who had luck on their side - and we didn’t. Despite the defeat I’m not unhappy with our performance. Our unbeaten run is now over so we’ll have to start a new one.”
Julian Schuster: “Huge credit to my team. The first half wasn’t easy. We had a good period after the break in which we scored two important goals. At the end of the day, we’ve beaten a very, very good Wolfsburg team and that’s ultimately what matters to me. Congratulations to my team.”
Line-ups and stats
SC Freiburg: Atubolu - Kübler (62‘ Rosenfelder), Ginter, Lienhart, Günter (70‘ Makenge) - Eggestein, Osterhage - Doan (86‘ Sildilia), Holer, Grifo (70‘ Röhl) - Gregoritsch (62‘ Dinkci)
Subs: Huth (GK), Muslija, Philipp, Höfler
VfL Wolfsburg: Grabara - Fischer (80‘ Nmecha), Vavro, Koulierakis, Maehle – Arnold - Dardai (57‘ Gerhardt), Wimmer (57‘ Svanberg) - Baku, Amoura (89’ Behrens), Tiago Tomas (46’ Wind)
Subs: Müller (GK), Zesiger, Özcan, Kaminski
Goals: 1-0 Kübler (42‘), 2-0 Kübler (51‘), 3-0 Gregoritsch (61‘), 3-1 Wind (75‘), 3-2 Svanberg (83‘)
Yellow cards: Kübler, Gregoritsch, Rosenfelder, Eggestein / Vavro
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Niederkassel)
Attendance: 32,600 at Europa-Park-Stadion (Freiburg)
