The SC Freiburg men’s football team returned to the summit of the Bundesliga table on the final matchday of the fifth round of fixtures, defeating FC Schalke 04 2:1 at the Europa-Park Stadion in front of 34,700 spectators despite playing nearly half an hour with ten men,welt.de reported.
Late Winner from Keisuke Goto Seals the Top Spot
The victory marks Freiburg’s seventh win across eight competitive fixtures in all competitions this season. The substitute headed in a cross from fellow substitute Vincenzo Grifo in the 85th minute to secure the home win.
Maximilian Eggestein had opened the scoring for the hosts in the 10th minute after Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius—making his 100th Bundesliga appearance—parried a powerful header from Freiburg central defender Matthias Ginter directly into the path of the oncoming midfielder for a close-range finish. Derry Scherhant had initiated that early breakthrough with a corner kick. Igor Matanovic nearly added to the lead shortly after with a low shot that was blocked in the 18th minute. Schalke equalized on the half-hour mark when Adrian Gantenbein converted a rebound after Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus punched a corner kick straight into the defender’s path, marking the Swiss player’s first Bundesliga goal in his debut match after months out injured. Both teams reinforced their attacks in the closing stages, with Freiburg bringing on Lucas Höler and Schalke introducing veteran Edin Dzeko, before Goto struck the decisive blow.
Yuito Suzuki Sees Red Amid Rising Tension
The match turned complicated for the hosts in the 64th minute when attacking player Yuito Suzuki received a second yellow card—and subsequent red—following a foul on Soufiane El-Faouzi,welt.de recorded. At that point, the league leaders had already played for 20 minutes with a numerical disadvantage. Suzuki had picked up his first caution earlier for kicking the ball away and vented his frustration by striking a sideline advertising board as he left the pitch. Playing down a man for the remaining 26 minutes plus stoppage time forced Freiburg onto the defensive before Goto’s late intervention.
Scherhant created persistent trouble down the left flank early on, helping orchestrate the moves that kept Schalke pinned back during the opening thirty minutes. Ten seconds elapsed before Igor Matanovic registered the match’s opening shot. As Schalke grew into the encounter, Moussa Sylla missed an opportunity in the 59th minute, Yannik Engelhardt blocked a subsequent attempt, and Matanovic cleared a header against his own crossbar in the 60th minute, while Robin Gosens nearly scored an own goal by striking teammate Nikola Katic before Karius intervened.
Matthias Ginter Keeps Feet on the Ground Regarding the Standings
Speaking to DAZN, Ginter remarked that the early-season table position “does not feel particularly special honestly, because it is the beginning of the season. If it were April, it would be something else.” Julian Schuster celebrated the victory with a loud cry before running onto the pitch to embrace his players as supporters chanted from the stands.
Midfielder Maximilian Eggestein echoed that sentiment to reporters, acknowledging the grit required after the expulsion. “All the more important that we could take three points.”
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