Bundesliga
It was very much the fabled game of two halves at the Europa-Park Stadion on Matchday 8 as Michael Gregoritsch inspired the home side in the first 45 minutes before Mainz dominated the second period in what was ultimately a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Freiburg.
Freiburg 2-1 Mainz
Goals: 1-0 Gregoritsch 3' (assist: Eggestein), 2-0 Kyereh (37'), 2-1 Aaron 52' (assist: Burkardt)
Having gone into the international break after recording back-to-back goalless draws, Freiburg began eager to return to winning ways ahead of a busy run of Bundesliga and UEFA Europa League fixtures in October. It took them just three minutes to find a breakthrough when Ritsu Doan dummied a Maximilian Eggestein ball into the box, giving Gregoritsch the space to smash in the opening goal. The Austrian forward was seemingly involved in everything after that, taking six of his team’s eight shots in the first half alone, including flashing a free-kick from the edge of the area narrowly over the bar. He was instrumental in his team’s second goal too, flicking a beautifully disguised Vincenzo Grifo cross onto the bar, with the rebound falling kindly for Daniel-Kofi Kyereh to tap in from close range.
Dominik Kohr had Mainz’s first real shot in anger early in the second half as the visitors endeavoured to kick-start a comeback, and while his shot was blocked the effort did have the desired effect as they soon pulled a goal back. Jonathan Burkardt snuck behind the Freiburg defence and although he mis-kicked his shot it fell kindly for Aaron Martin to prod in unmarked at the back post. Mainz grew into the game after that and Burkardt - who only had nine touches in the first half – was suddenly everywhere, drawing a fine save from Mark Flekken from distance before volleying over at the back post following a corner. Karim Onisiwo and Aaron both forced Flekken into action in the closing stages and Silvan Widmer had a shot cleared off the line as Mainz pushed for an equaliser, but try as they might the ball simply would not go in, leaving Freiburg to breathe a sigh of relief when the full-time whistle came.
>>> Get Gregoritsch for your Fantasy team for 8.4M!
Watch: Daniel-Kofi Kyereh - 'A perfect match'
Freiburg: Flekken - Sildillia, Ginter, Lienhart, Günter (c) - Eggestein (Keitel 90'+3), Höfler - Doan (Schade 69'), Kyereh (Jeong 69'), Grifo (Weißhaupt 84') – Gregoritsch (Petersen 84')
Unused subs: Uphoff, Schmid, Kübler, Schlotterbeck
Out: Ezekwem (muscular), Höler (match fitness), Sallai (eye socket)
Coach: Christian Streich
Mainz: Zentner - Widmer (c), Bell (Fernandes 66'), Caci – Da Costa (Fulgini 77'), Kohr, Barreiro (Lee 66'), Aaron - Burkardt (Burgzorg 77'), Stach (Weiper 86') – Onisiwo
Unused subs: Dahmen, Barkok, Tauer, Bobzien
Out: Hack (suspended), Mustapha (thigh)
Coach: Bo Svensson
Watch: Christian Streich - 'We're all working hard'