What a tragedy for a striker. Despite a hat-trick from Dzenan Pejcinović, VfL Wolfsburg lost a wild game against SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga.
In Wolfsburg’s 3-4 defeat in front of around 22,000 spectators in the home arena, Pejcinović scored in the 13th, 49th and 69th minutes. The Freiburg goals on Saturday were scored by Philipp Treu (5th), Vincenzo Grifo (56th, penalty kick), Jenson Seelt (71st, own goal) and Derry Scherhant (78th). As a result of the defeat, Wolfsburg slipped to 14th place with 15 points, while Freiburg remains ninth with 20 points.
“It was a great pleasure to watch. Both teams demanded a lot from each other. Both teams tried to play football. Both played with a high level of intensity. That’s impressive. I didn’t think my team could show such an energetic performance and the fact that they rewarded themselves with three points makes me very happy.”said Freiburg coach Julian Schuster at the Sportschau microphone.
Three-packer Pejcinović explained: “Of course there are mixed feelings. I’m happy to have scored three goals, but to leave the pitch as a loser is very frustrating – especially since we led twice and then let it go. That hurts.”
Wolfsburg coach Daniel Bauer added: “It’s a tough defeat, the way the game is going speaks volumes. We’re in the lead twice in the second half, we’re playing really well. Then we make mistakes that are punished at that level. Freiburg showed that they’re a bit ahead of us.”
Bauer promoted to Wolfsburg head coach
There was positive news for VfL before the game. The club promoted interim coach Bauer to head coach. The previous U19 coach got a contract with Lower Saxony until 2027. Bauer took over the coaching job at VfL in mid-November for the dismissed Paul Simonis and, after a defeat and a draw, recently celebrated two victories in a row.
With this, the new sports director Pirmin Schwegler solved his most pressing problem. Schwegler himself has only been working for Wolfsburg since the previous week. The former Frankfurt official succeeded the dismissed Sebastian Schindzielorz.
Freiburg’s loyalty hits and misses
That didn’t seem to inspire the “Wolves” at first, as the Freiburg team got off to a better start. Yuito Suzuki dribbled his way into the box from the left side and chipped the ball into the middle. Wolfsburg’s Lovro Majer unfortunately deflected the cross, the ball landed at Treu, who volleyed in from the air from 14 meters – a goal worth seeing.
Treu, of all people, initiated the quick equalizer. He lost the ball to Patrick Wimmer, who passed it to Pejcinović and he beat Noah Atubolu from a tight angle. The SC goalkeeper didn’t look particularly good. After that it was an even game with slight advantages for the hosts, but they only had half chances.
Suzuki hits the Wolfsburg post
But Freiburg had the next good opportunity. After Jenson Seelt lost the ball, the SC switched quickly, but Suzuki only hit the post from around 20 meters. This gave the guests a boost again.
Wolfsburg only had a good chance again shortly before halftime. Then Johan Manzambi carelessly lost the ball to Wimmer, who went up and away and then Majer staged. His cross pass into the middle ended up with Freiburg’s Christian Günther, who was able to clear the ball in desperate need. The break was 1-1 – in keeping with the performance.
Blatant mistake from Freiburg’s Atubolu
At the start of the second half, Wolfsburg took the lead out of the blue. From a goal kick, SC goalkeeper Atubolu played the ball right into the feet of Pejcinović, who gratefully pushed it in. What a mistake.
The SC could have given the answer straight away, but Saël Kumbedi cleared a shot from Suzuki off the line. VfL goalkeeper Kamil Grabara had previously missed the ball. A little later, Manzambi only hit the side netting of the Wolfsburg goal.
It remained wild, and a little later there was a Freiburg equalizer. After Seelt fouled Lucas Höler, referee Sascha Stegemann pointed to the penalty spot and Grifo confidently converted.
Open exchange of blows
As a result, it was an open exchange of blows, going back and forth. Pejcinović first scored a hat-trick after Atubolu’s goal kick was immediately returned to VfL and Freiburg had defended poorly. In return, Seelt scored an own goal to equalize again. 3:3. After a throw-in into the penalty area, Matthias Ginter’s header failed to beat Grabara, but Seelt unfortunately maneuvered the rebound over the line.
Wolfsburg’s Dzenan Pejcinovic
Wolfsburg was shocked, and Freiburg followed up mercilessly. The ball came to Scherhant on the right via Grifo and Manzambi, who fired hard into the near corner to make it 3-4. A little later it was almost 3:5, but Maximilian Eggestein stumbled over the ball half a meter in front of the goal and Grabara was able to clear it.
As a result, Freiburg slowed down and limited themselves to defense. Despite six minutes of stoppage time, Wolfsburg were unable to equalize.
Wolfsburg at Bayern, Freiburg against HSV
After the winter break, Wolfsburg will be guests at FC Bayern on Sunday evening (January 11, 2026) (5:30 p.m.). Freiburg welcomes Hamburger SV on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.).
