Bundesliga
Freiburg secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion with Ritsu Dōan scoring the only goal of the match with a deflected effort in the second half. Bremen, despite having more possession, failed to find the back of the net and are still without a home goal this season.
Werder Bremen 0-1 Freiburg
Goals: 0-1 Dōan 75’ (assist: Grifo)
Both teams entered the match with contrasting form; Bremen were buoyed by their comeback victory against Hoffenheim, while Freiburg were looking to bounce back from a surprising defeat to St. Pauli. Ole Werner's side welcomed back captain Marco Friedl from suspension, while Freiburg coach Julian Schuster opted for an unchanged lineup despite last week's setback.
The match began with Freiburg asserting early control, as Dōan tested Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer within the opening minutes. The hosts, however, grew into the game and created the best chance of the first half. In the 18th minute, Marvin Ducksch's clever header set up Felix Agu, whose powerful shot forced a last-gasp save from Noah Atubolu. As the half progressed, Freiburg began to dominate possession, with Maximilian Eggestein pulling the strings in midfield against his former club. The visitors' increasing pressure culminated in a golden opportunity just before the break, as Vincenzo Grifo's curling effort struck the outside of the post, leaving the score level at half-time.
The second half saw Bremen come out with renewed vigour, as they sought to break their home goal drought. Romano Schmid came close with a header from Jens Stage's cross, while Leonardo Bittencourt, a player with a history of scoring against Freiburg, saw his long-range efforts sail wide. Despite Bremen's improved performance, it was Freiburg who struck the decisive blow in the 75th minute. Dōan, who had been a constant threat throughout the match, received the ball on the right flank, cut inside, and unleashed a left-footed shot. The ball took a wicked deflection off Friedl, wrong-footing Zetterer and nestling into the net. The goal was Dōan's third of the season, making him Freiburg's top scorer.
Werner responded by introducing more attacking options, including Oliver Burke and Keke Topp, as Bremen desperately sought an equaliser. The hosts piled on the pressure in the closing stages, with Mitchell Weiser and Bittencourt both forcing saves from Atubolu. However, Freiburg's defence, marshalled by the impressive Matthias Ginter, held firm. The visitors even had chances to extend their lead on the counter-attack, with Lucas Höler missing a golden opportunity in the dying minutes. As the final whistle blew, Freiburg celebrated a hard-fought victory that propelled them up the Bundesliga table, while Bremen were left to rue their missed chances and ongoing struggles in front of their home fans.
Dōan emerged as the standout performer in Freiburg's victory. The Japanese international's match-winning goal was the culmination of a tireless and influential display. Dōan's ability to consistently escape pressure situations, successfully navigating 83% of such scenarios, was crucial in maintaining Freiburg's attacking threat. His goal, albeit with a touch of fortune due to the deflection, was just reward for his persistent efforts throughout the match. Dōan's performance not only secured the three points for Freiburg but also highlighted his growing importance to the team's attacking play this season.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bremen 0.84 - Freiburg 1.12
Fastest player: Derrick Köhn (Bremen), 35.81 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Ritsu Dōan (Freiburg), 8.88 percent
Most pressed player: Romano Schmid (Bremen), 32 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Maximilian Eggestein (Freiburg), +3.32
Fantasy Heroes: Ritsu Dōan (SC Freiburg, 321 Points), Philipp Lienhart (SC Freiburg, 261 Points), Vincenzo Grifo (SC Freiburg, 250 Points)