The Wolves were forced to chase the game after falling behind to an early goal from Roland Sallai and although Bruno Labbadia's men had more possession and shots on target, the visitors were clinical throughout, efforts from Nils Petersen and Mike Frantz putting Freiburg on course for three points. Admir Mehmedi reduced the deficit for VfL in the second half, but it was ultimately too little too late. The Green-Whites have the chance make amends away to 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Wednesday 26 September (kick-off: 20:30 CEST).
First start for Mehmedi
VfL coach Labbadia made one change from the side that drew 2-2 with Hertha Berlin last weekend, handing former Freiburg forward Mehmedi – who scored the dramatic stoppage-time equaliser in that game – his first Bundesliga start of the season. The Switzerland international came into the starting line-up in place of Josip Brekalo, who had missed training during the week with a stomach upset, but was well enough to be on the bench here.
Wolves caught cold
The Wolves started confidently and moved the ball around well in the opening stages, but were caught out by Freiburg's first attack of the game when Sallai headed in Lukas Kübler's right-wing cross in the seventh minute. VfL responded by going on the front foot, with a John Brooks header and a long-range shot from William signalling their intent. Nevertheless, it was the visitors who struck again, Petersen heading in the rebound after Koen Casteels had saved his penalty. Despite putting together several promising moves before the interval, Wolfsburg simply could not find the final ball to get a foothold in the game.
