SC Freiburg has taken another big step towards the Champions League. Coach Christian Streich's team won 1-0 (0-0) at 1. FC Köln, remain among the top four in the Bundesliga after Matchday 30 and now go into the DFB Cup semi-final against RB Leipzig on Tuesday (20:45 CET in the F.A.Z. live ticker for the DFB Cup and on ZDF) with a lot of tailwind.
Ritsu Doan scored the decisive goal for the Breisgau team (54th) – as is so often the case after a set-piece. With four games to go before the end of the season, FC are on 35 points, and despite the defeat, it is hard to take away their place in the league.
"Tuesday's game won't have any relevance for Saturday. There's a lot at stake for us," Freiburg coach Christian Streich said before the game, ruling out major rotations. Compared to the clear 4-0 win against Schalke 04, the 57-year-old only brought in Maximilian Eggestein instead of Yannik Keitel from the start.
The first goosebump moments in the sold-out RheinEnergie Stadium came even before kick-off: Jonas Hector was celebrated with a standing ovation during the warm-up and reading out of the team line-up of the hosts. The captain and former international announced his retirement after the season last weekend.
Exactly 45 years to the day after winning the last championship, FC started with a lot of pressure and a lot of forward momentum. Birthday boy Eric Martel first got stuck with a shot attempt (2nd), then rattled together with Freiburg's Vincenzo Grifo in an aerial duel (10th). Both were able to continue playing after a short treatment.
An open exchange of blows developed with many offensive actions on both sides. Freiburg's keeper Mark Flekken had to distinguish himself several times, first saved Linton Maina's volley and then Martel's header from close range with a strong reflex (23rd).
The visitors initially struggled against the defensively well-stocked Cologne. Lucas Höler failed first with a low shot (30') and then with a lifter (40') to the strong Marvin Schwäbe in the Cologne box.
It went into the break goalless - this time the guests came out of the dressing room with more momentum. Höler extended a corner kick with a header, Doan only had to nod in at the second post. It was already the 20th goal after a resting ball for the Breisgau team – a league record. Gregoritsch missed a great opportunity to make it 2-0 (59th), then Flekken prevented the equaliser with another strong save (68th).