Vincenzo Grifo scores twice as S04 lose home game against Freiburg

Three changes to the starting eleven – Sané and Schell make the squad

Thomas Reis made three changes in his first game as S04 head coach. Florent Mollet, Kenan Karaman and Sebastian Polter came into the starting eleven in place of Mehmet Can Aydin, Dominick Drexler and Simon Terodde. U23 players Sidi Sané and Julius Schell made the 20-man squad on a Bundesliga matchday for the first time. Sané had previously played 17 minutes against Bremer SV in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, while Schell was on the bench for the second round game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Jordan Larsson (illness), Dominick Drexler and Timothée Kolodziejczak (both muscular problems) were not available for the game.

Freiburg dominate early possession

In the early stages of the game, Freiburg had more possession and the first chances. Ritsu Doan shot straight at Alexander Schwolow in the second minute, before minutes later his attempt deflected over the bar after coming off Thomas Ouwejan (8’). S04 initially were focussed with preventing Freiburg from creating dangerous chances and were unable to threaten Mark Flekken’s goal. This change in the 19th minute, when Kenan Karaman shot from within the penalty area, with his shot being saved by Flekken. A couple of minutes later, a Marius Bülter shot was deflected behind for a corner.

The game was now in the balance, even with Freiburg having a couple more good opportunities to score, with Wooyoeong Dong narrowly missing the bottom right corner with a shot from outside the box and Ritsu Doan shooting straight at Schwolow from the right-hand side of the box (25’).

Calhanoglu and Mollet unable to put S04 ahead – Grifo scores in additional time

At the other end, Kerim Calhanoglu, who had just come on to replace the injured Thomas Ouwejan, narrowly missed the target (35’). The ball was headed-on to the full-back by Sebastian Polter und Marius Bülter following a Cedric Brunner throw-in, but the 20-year-old was unable to convert.

Shortly before half time, Florent Mollet shot after nice interplay with Marius Bülter but his effort went over the bar (44’). The visitors took the lead in the first minute of additional time. Vincenco Grifo found a bit of space on the left-hand side just outside of the box, and managed to curl the ball home from the edge of the box to put Freiburg 1-0 ahead.

Freiburg miss big chances at start of the second half

In the second half, as in the first, Freiburg took control of the game. The visitors were almost able to celebrate a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute. Freiburg took a short freekick on the left-hand side, Vincenzo Grifo carried the ball forward and shot from distance. Alexander Schwolow punched it clear, where it landed at the feet of Wooyeong Jeong, who shot wide with the goal at his mercy. Shortly after, Henning Matriciani blocked a shot from Lukas Kübler with his chest. Freiburg kept the ball and Vincenzo Grifo shot wide from a tight angle (54’).

Freiburg penalty after VAR check – S04 have no luck as the game comes to its conclusion

With an hour of play gone, referee Christian Dingert was instructed by the video assistant to check again a challenge in the Schalke box by Kerim Calhanoglu on Wooyeong Jeong. The decision was made having watched it again to award a penalty. Vincenzo Grifo took the penalty and fired high into the top-right corner past Alexander Schwolow to give Freiburg a 2-0 lead (61’).

The Knappen kept trying in the final third but the ball just didn’t want to go in. Marius Bülter headed just wide of the post after a floated cross from Tobias Mohr (76’), Tom Krauß could only fire straight at Mark Flekken from close range after a one-two with Simon Terodde (77’), Simon Terodde headed wide after a cross from Kerim Calhanoglu (79’), as did Tobias Mohr with the outside of the foot after a pass from Terodde (83’). Lucas Höler missed a header five minutes before full time that would have put Freiburg 3-0 up. With 90 minutes plus additional time done, Freiburg were able to celebrate a 2-0 away win.

Saturday evening in Bremen

There is another evening game coming up this weekend. On Saturday (05/11), Schalke travel away to face Werder Bremen at 18:30 CET.