Freiburg fight back in Frankfurt but miss chance to go top

Having won each of their first six competitive matches, Freiburg arrived in Frankfurt full of confidence. Yet their hopes of extending that run were tested in a typically breathless encounter involving a Frankfurt side that has made entertainment a habit this season. 

With 26 goals scored across their opening four matches, the hosts once again delivered a match packed with attacking quality, defensive uncertainty and momentum swings.

Match highlight

Frankfurt struck first in the 10th minute through Younes Ebnoutalib. Fresh from receiving a Germany call-up, the forward celebrated in the best possible way, arriving at the right moment to turn Ritsu Doan’s cut-back into the net from close range.

Freiburg responded positively rather than allowing the early setback to disrupt them. Jan-Niklas Beste forced Noah Atubolu into an important near-post save before the visitors found their equaliser through Derry Scherhant. Jordy Makengo released him down the left flank, and Scherhant cut inside before drilling a composed finish into the bottom corner.

The visitors’ joy lasted only two minutes. Frankfurt immediately restored their lead as Jonathan Burkardt scored his sixth goal of the campaign. Robin Koch nodded a corner back into the danger area, and Burkardt reacted sharply to finish from close range.

Freiburg had opportunities to go into half-time level, with Matthias Ginter sending an effort off target and Scherhant seeing a dangerous free-kick brilliantly saved by Atubolu, who diverted it onto the post.

Frankfurt’s failure to protect their advantage proved costly shortly after the restart. Just three minutes into the second half, Yuito Suzuki hammered home a powerful volley after another excellent piece of work from Scherhant. It was another damaging defensive moment for the hosts, who have now conceded at least twice in six successive home matches.

Both teams continued to chase a winner in an open, absorbing second half. Scherhant, Doan and Can Uzun all went close, while Burkardt was denied a decisive second goal by an outstanding reflex save from Mio Backhaus after Ansgar Knauff had picked him out from the byline.

Philipp Lienhart later fired over as the contest gradually lost some of its earlier intensity, and neither side could produce the fifth goal that their attacking endeavour arguably deserved.

The point leaves Freiburg unable to overtake Bayern Munich at the summit, while Frankfurt remain in mid-table after taking just one win from their opening four Bundesliga fixtures.