SC Freiburg, led by double goal scorer Michael Gregoritsch, has taken another step towards the Champions League, while FC Schalke 04 has suffered another setback in the relegation battle. In front of 34,700 spectators on Sunday, the Baden team deservedly defeated the Gelsenkirchen team 4-0 (2-0). Austrian international striker Gregoritsch scored in the 7th and 35th minutes for Freiburg, who remain among the top teams in the Bundesliga and could move into the Champions League for the first time. Lucas Höler (52') and Matthias Ginter (82') added to their tally in the second half.
A week after their furious 5-2 win against Hertha BSC, Schalke could have been the winners of the matchday in the basement of the table and climbed to 15th place. However, the Royal Blues were unable to take advantage of the blunders of their direct rivals and remain penultimate five matchdays before the end of the season.
The hosts were right in the game – and Gregoritsch, who had returned to the starting line-up after ankle problems, was involved in almost every dangerous action in the first half. After just six minutes, he forced ex-Freiburg player Alexander Schwolow, who was standing in for the injured Ralf Fährmann in the Schalke goal, to make a strong save. Shortly afterwards, he slotted the ball into the left corner after a fine pass from the busy Ritsu Doan.
Vincenzo Grifo could have increased the lead to 2-0 after less than a quarter of an hour and also after good preparatory work by Japan's Doan, but only hit the left post. After another attempt by Höler, who shot over the goal (18th), Freiburg picked up some speed in the stands in front of former national coaches Jogi Löw and Jürgen Klinsmann.
Schalke, who have won just one of their 42 previous away games in the Bundesliga, remained harmless offensively. And because they sometimes defended too airily, they conceded the second goal before the change of sides. With a low shot from Grifo, Schwolow was still on the spot (34th), but he could not prevent Gregoritsch's brace. The striker cleverly extended a cross from Lukas Kübler with his head into the far corner. It was his 50th Bundesliga goal.
Schalke coach Thomas Reis made two changes at half-time. Leo Greiml came in for Moritz Jenz in defence, Michael Frey was to provide more of a goal threat up front in place of Dominick Drexler. For a few minutes it looked as if the visitors might find their way back into the game, then Höler scored through the legs of Schwolow to make it 3-0. Gregoritsch missed another good chance (64th). Then national player Ginter scored from a corner for SC, who have only lost to title contenders Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich at home in the league so far this season - and are well on their way to playing internationally next season.