Record-man Petersen helps Freiburg down Leipzig

Goals: 1-0 Petersen (12’), 2-0 Waldschmidt (pen. 45+1’), 3-0 Frantz (52’)

Freiburg began the day 11 points and 10 places worse off than their visitors, who were third, but Christian Streich’s men looked positively unfazed in taking an early lead. Christian Günter raced clear on the counter-attack, and when his shot was parried by Peter Gulacsi, Petersen was on hand to force home his club record-equalling 37th top-flight goal for the club. Leipzig attempted to return fire midway through the half, but Timo Werner’s close-range shot was well stopped by Gulacsi’s opposite number, Alexander Schwolow. Culpable for the opening goal, Gulacsi has nonetheless been the strongest ‘keeper in the Bundesliga this season, statistically, and he pulled off a fantastic stop with the half drawing to a close to keep out Luca Waldschmidt. There was nothing he could do about the youngster’s penalty on the stroke of half-time, though, and Freiburg carried a 2-0 lead into the break.

Freiburg pulled three goals clear minutes after the restart. Lukas Kübler spun a wicked cross in from the right-hand side and captain Mike Frantz stooped to head home, doubling his account for the season. Ralf Rangnick brought the more defensively-minded Konrad Laimer on for Kevin Kampl for the final half-hour, with Jean-Kevin Augustin then replacing Matheus Cunha soon after, but the fresh legs failed to turn the tide of the game, and Freiburg held on to seal their biggest ever win over Leipzig.

• Petersen’s opener was his 37th Bundesliga goal for Freiburg, drawing him level with Papiss Cisse as the club’s all-time top-flight top scorer.
• Petersen has now scored against all 18 Bundesliga clubs.
• Waldschmidt has four goals for Freiburg since his summer transfer from Hamburg. Half have been penalties.
• Frantz had the least touches in the game, but earned the penalty for 2-0 before scoring the header for 3-0.
• Leipzig have lost their last four away games in all competitions.
• Gulacsi had conceded just twice in his previous nine Bundesliga games. The Hungary No.1 picked the ball out of his net twice in 45 minutes here.

Freiburg: Schwolow – Kübler, Gulde, Koch, Heintz, Günter – Waldschmidt (Höler 89'), Gondorf (Ravet 90+1'), Haberer, Frantz (c) (Terrazzino 73')– Petersen
Unused subs: Flekken, Lienhart, Niederlechner, Stenzel
Out: Borello (cruciate ligament), Höfler (knee), Kath (stomach), Sallai (adductor)
Coach: Christian Streich

Leipzig: Gulacsi – Klostermann, Konate, Upamecano, Halstenberg – Sabitzer (Saracchi 84'), Demme (c), Kampl (Laimer 64'), Cunha (Augustin 74')– Poulsen, Werner
Unused subs: Müller, Orban, Ilsanker, Mukiele
Out: Adams (ineligible), Forsberg (groin)
Coach: Ralf Rangnick