Dhe SC Freiburg, led by double goal scorer Michael Gregoritsch, took another step towards the Champions League, while FC Schalke 04 suffered another setback in the relegation battle. The Badeners defeated the Gelsenkircheners in front of 34,700 spectators on Sunday deservedly 4-0 (2-0). The Austrian national striker Gregoritsch scored in the 7th and 35th minute for Freiburg, who are still among the top teams in the Bundesliga and could move into the premier class for the first time. Lucas Höler (52nd) and Matthias Ginter (82nd) followed suit in the second half.
A week after their furious 5-2 win against Hertha BSC, Schalke could have won the matchday in the bottom of the table and climbed to 15th place. The Royal Blues were unable to take advantage of the mistakes of their direct competitors and remain penultimate five games before the end of the season.
The hosts were right in the game – and Gregoritsch, who had returned to the starting XI after an ankle problem, was involved in almost every dangerous action in the first half. After just six minutes he forced ex-Freiburger Alexander Schwolow, who replaced the injured Ralf Fährmann in the Schalke goal, to make a strong save. Shortly afterwards, after a fine pass from the energetic Ritsu Doan, he thoughtfully pushed the ball into the left corner.
Vincenzo Grifo could have made it 2-0 after less than 15 minutes and also after good work from the Japanese Doan, but he only hit the left post. After another attempt by Höler, who shot over the goal (18th), Freiburg slowed down a bit in front of former national coaches Jogi Löw and Jürgen Klinsmann in the stands.
Schalke, who have only won one of their last 42 away games in the Bundesliga, remained harmless offensively. And because they sometimes defended too airily, they caught the second goal before the break. Schwolow was still there when Grifo shot low (34′), but he was no longer able to prevent Gregoritsch’s brace. The attacker skillfully extended a cross from Lukas Kübler with his head into the far corner. It was his 50th Bundesliga goal.
Schalke coach Thomas Reis made two changes during the break. Leo Greiml came on for Moritz Jenz in defense, Michael Frey should provide more goal threat instead of Dominick Drexler. For a few minutes it looked like the guests might find their way back into the game, then Höler scored through Schwolow’s legs to make it 3-0. Gregoritsch missed another good chance (64th). Then national player Ginter scored after a corner for SC, who have only lost at home in the league this season against title contenders Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich – and are well on the way to playing internationally again next season .
