PLAYER RATINGS | SC Freiburg 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen | OneFootball

Freiburg had the chance to not only increase their chances of qualifying for the Champions League this season, but they could also be kingmakers and crown Bayern Munich champions, if they beat Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen knew what the task was: play so badly that Bayern would win the title today and become ‘Sofameister’. Freiburg were simply the better side for very much of the first 45 minutes of the game, despite dominating the ball, die Werkself were unable to do anything reasonable with it. Freiburg thoroughly outworked them the whole game and hustled in defence to stifle Leverkusen. Just before half-time, Maximilian Eggestein’s long-range effort beat Matej Kovar to give Freiburg the lead.

The hosts would double their lead within three minutes of the second half when Piero Hincapié prodded a Johan Manzambi cut back into his own net. It had seemed that Freiburg were going to see out the win and take a big leap towards Champions League qualification, as they continued to outwork Leverkusen and held them at bay for very much of the game. However, as we have seen for parts of this season, the old Leverkusen reared its head. Florian Wirtz’s curling effort from outside the box beat Florian Müller to set up a tense finale.

Then it happened. Again.

In the 94th minute, a Nathan Tella cross was met by the shoulder of Jonathan Tah to make it 2-2. The draw still confirmed Bayern as champions, but we will all likely forget this by next week.

Did Leverkusen deserve this result? no. They stunk the place out for most of the game with how they played, once again showing that this squad needs a refresh.

The late equaliser makes Freiburg’s qualification for the Champions League slightly more difficult. In their final two games of the season, they face Holstein Kiel, who are trying to attempt a great escape (to the relegation playoff) and Frankfurt on the final day of the season. Granted, they are still in the top four and in a favourable position, but they will need to be perfect to realise the UCL dream, especially after throwing it away in 2022.

As previously pointed out by the Gegenpressing Podcast, Freiburg have the potential to be a strong team in Germany and qualification for Europe’s premier competition would allow the Breisgau to take the next step as a club, similar to Eintracht Frankfurt in the past couple of leagues.

SC Freiburg:

Florian Müller (5), Max Rosenfelder (5), Matthias Ginter (6), Philipp Lienhart (6), Jordy Makengo (6), Maximilian Eggestian (6), Patrick Osterhage (6), Ritsu Doan (5), Johan Manzambi (7), Vincenzo Grifo (6), Junior Adamu (6)

Others: Merlin Röhl (5), Lukas Kübler (5), Jan-Niklas Beste (-), Kilian Sildillia (-)

Bayer Leverkusen:

Matej Kovar (5), Edmond Tapsoba (5), Jonathan Tah (5), Piero Hincapié (4), Jeremie Frimpong (5), Granit Xhaka (5), Aleix Garcia (5), Alejandro Grimaldo (6), Emiliano Buendia (4), Florian Wirtz (6), Patrik Schick (4)

Others: Arthur (5), Exequiel Palacios (5), Amine Adli (5), Nathan Tella (5)

GGFN Man of the Match: Johan Manzambi (7)

Considering Manzambi has only broken into the Freiburg in recent weeks. He has impressed in most of his starts, and today was no different. He ran until he couldn’t run anymore this afternoon. The 19-year-old also (technically) provided the assist for the own goal scored by Piero Hincapié.

The great thing about Freiburg is that they are seemingly able to just find a replacement for a long-serving player out of nowhere, and Manzambi seems to be the next replacement for Lucas Höler.

GGFN | Jack Meenan