SC Freiburg secured a 2-0 victory against 1.
SC Freiburg on Saturday, establishing the best start in the club’s Bundesliga history with 19 points after nine matches. The win moves Freiburg into third place, just two points behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as the league prepares for an international break.
According to WELT, the victory was built on a dominant first-half performance where Freiburg outshot Union 12-0. The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Rani Khedira turned the ball into his own net. Yuito Suzuki sealed the result with a 67th-minute strike, while Union’s goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow kept the scoreline respectable with several key saves.
Freiburg’s European Momentum Carries Over
Freiburg carried the momentum from a midweek UEFA Conference League win into this Bundesliga fixture. The team made four changes to the starting lineup that defeated Trabzonspor 1-0, and continued its strong form in front of its home supporters.
“It is important today for the head, also to accept if not much happens,” Freiburg coach Julian Schuster said before the match, as quoted by DAZN. “The game against Union is the next opportunity to show how we have matured,” Schuster added.
First Half Dominance Frustrates Union
The opening 45 minutes were characterized by Freiburg’s complete control of possession and attacking play. Union Berlin, known for its organized defensive approach, sat deep and concentrated on nullifying the home team’s threats. This strategy kept Freiburg at bay for much of the half but resulted in zero shots for the visiting side.
Union’s defensive resilience began to crack as halftime approached. Freiburg’s Derry Scherhant tested Rönnow with a free-kick in the 33rd minute, and Yuito Suzuki forced the Union goalkeeper into a fine save with a long-range effort just before the break. Freiburg's 12-0 shot advantage at half-time showed they controlled the match.
Own Goal Breaks the Deadlock
The deadlock was broken in the second half through an unfortunate own goal. In the 55th minute, Jan-Niklas Beste broke down the right flank and sent a cross into the box. Rani Khedira, attempting a clearance, deflected the ball past his own goalkeeper, giving Freiburg the lead.
🚨🔴⚫ SC Freiburg pokonał Union Berlin 2:0! 🔥⚽ ⚽ 🇩🇪 Rani Khedira (55’, samobój) – 1:0 ⚽ 🇯🇵 Yuito Suzuki (67’) – 2:0 ❌ 🇮🇹 Vincenzo Grifo zmarnował rzut karny w 84. minucie! 📈 Freiburg awansował na 3. miejsce w Bundeslidze, a Union Berlin zajmuje 16. pozycję! pic.twitter.com/fOlqOjvDNw
Union responded to the setback by attempting to push forward, but their efforts were limited. The visitors’ first shot on goal came in the 58th minute, an effort from Jordy Makengo that was comfortably saved by Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus, who had a relatively quiet afternoon thanks to his team’s defensive work.
Suzuki Doubles the Lead
Freiburg’s second goal came in a swift and polished counter-attack. After Union had ventured forward, leaving space at the back, Scherhant played a precise pass into the path of Suzuki. The forward showed composure, waiting a moment before chipping the ball over the advancing Rönnow to make it 2-0 in the 67th minute.
Union’s Rönnow continued to be the standout player for his team, pulling off a remarkable save to deny Vincenzo Grifo from the penalty spot in the 84th minute after a foul in the box. The late penalty miss, however, did little to alter the outcome of a match Freiburg had dominated from start to finish.
Freiburg’s Historic Standings Position
With this victory, SC Freiburg has achieved its best-ever start to a Bundesliga season and has also solidified its position behind the duo of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. The club earned 19 points from nine games.
As reported by WELT, the win sends Freiburg into the international break as the third-place team. The focus now turns to maintaining this form after the break, with the next Bundesliga match still to be officially scheduled.
Earlier coverage: SC Freiburg Defeats Union Berlin 2-0 to Extend Winning Run to Four
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