You know, sometimes football is a game of fine margins, where one single moment can unravel an entire team's hard work. That's exactly what we saw in the intense clash between SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund. BVB had a massive chance to jump into second place in the league, but a self-inflicted wound saw them give up a 1-0 lead to finish with a frustrating 1-1 draw, all thanks to a game-changing red card early in the second half.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Borussia Dortmund's seven-game winning streak against SC Freiburg came to a dramatic end.
- ✓ A 53rd-minute red card for Jobe Bellingham for a professional foul completely changed the game's momentum.
- ✓ Ramy Bensebaini gave Dortmund the lead before halftime, but a stunning goal from Lucas Höler secured a 1-1 draw for Freiburg.
- ✓ The draw meant BVB missed a golden opportunity to climb to second place in the Bundesliga table.
- ✓ Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel's risky pass was the catalyst for the red card, drawing criticism from his own coach.
A First Half Full of Promise for BVB
Heading into this match, Dortmund's recent form had been a mixed bag. The "turbulent days" were in full swing after that disappointing 2-2 draw against Norwegian side FK Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League, which even led to some public criticism from defender Nico Schlotterbeck. So, the pressure was on coach Niko Kovač to get a response. And for the first 45 minutes, it looked like he was going to get one.
Kovač made an interesting tactical switch, starting with two strikers in Serhou Guirassy and Fábio Silva, even with key players like Julian Brandt and Waldemar Anton sidelined. The plan seemed to work. Dortmund controlled the game, with Yan Couto causing all sorts of problems down the right flank. He was constantly looking for Guirassy, who had a couple of decent headed chances early on in the 5th and 17th minutes.
The game had its feisty moments too. A shove from Dortmund's Yan Couto sent Johan Manzambi tumbling over the advertising boards, leading to a heated exchange and a yellow card for both from referee Felix Zwayer. But the real breakthrough came in the 31st minute. A free-kick from Couto found its way into the box, and after a scramble, it was Ramy Bensebaini who managed to poke the ball over the line. The Freiburg defense looked a bit lost, and Dortmund had their deserved 1-0 lead.
The Red Mist: A Moment of Madness Changes Everything
The second half had barely kicked off when disaster struck for Dortmund. At the 52-minute mark, the game was turned completely on its head. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel decided to play a risky, short pass out from his box toward Jobe Bellingham. It was a terrible decision, putting his teammate under immediate and immense pressure right at the edge of his own penalty area.
Freiburg's Philipp Treu was storming in from Bellingham's blind spot. Caught completely off guard, Bellingham's attempt to play the ball resulted in him bringing Treu down. As the last man, it was a clear-cut professional foul. Referee Felix Zwayer didn't hesitate for a second and flashed a straight red card. Just like that, Dortmund were down to 10 men with nearly 40 minutes left to play.
Coach Kovač was visibly frustrated, later criticizing the pass, saying, "He plays him the ball on the wrong foot." To his credit, Kobel took the blame, admitting, "I have to play that better." But the damage was done. Bellingham now faces a suspension that will certainly see him miss the crucial upcoming derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach and likely the following match against Eintracht Frankfurt as well.
Freiburg's Fightback and a Dream Goal
With a man advantage, Freiburg sensed their opportunity. The game became a one-way street, with the home side piling on relentless pressure. Kovač reacted by bringing on Pascal Groß for striker Fábio Silva to try and shore up his defense, but it was a desperate rear-guard action for the visitors. Freiburg was now the team in control, pushing forward at every chance.
Gregor Kobel, perhaps trying to atone for his earlier mistake, made a couple of fantastic saves to keep his team in the lead. He first denied a powerful long-range shot from Treu in the 69th minute and then brilliantly tipped a strike from Yuito Suzuki onto the crossbar just four minutes later. It felt like maybe, just maybe, Dortmund could hang on for a gritty win.
But in the 75th minute, even the strong goalkeeper was beaten. Lucas Höler produced a moment of absolute magic. He connected with the ball with a spectacular turning shot—some called it a side-bicycle kick—that flew into the far corner of the net, hitting the inside of the post on its way in. It was a "Traumtor," a dream goal, and his very first of the season. The stadium erupted, and the score was level at 1-1.
A Frantic Finish and a Lucky Escape
The final 15 minutes were a nervy affair for the ten men of Dortmund. They were clearly "wobbling" and looked vulnerable. Freiburg pushed hard for a winner, and they thought they'd found one in the 86th minute when Igor Matanovic put the ball in the back of the net. However, Dortmund breathed a collective sigh of relief as the goal was chalked off for a very narrow offside in the buildup.
In the end, Dortmund managed to hang on for the point, but it felt much more like a loss. The chance to leapfrog the competition and claim second spot in the Bundesliga was gone, tossed away by a completely avoidable error. It does little to calm the nerves at the club and certainly doesn't help the mood ahead of the massive Borussen-Duell against Mönchengladbach next Friday.
Conclusion
So, what's the bottom line? This was a classic game of two halves, defined by that one critical red card. Borussia Dortmund went from a position of control and a deserved lead to desperately clinging on for a draw. It was a lesson in how quickly a match can turn. For Freiburg, it was a deserved point earned through persistence and a moment of brilliance from Lucas Höler, while for Dortmund, it’s two points dropped and a whole lot of "what ifs" to ponder.
