Freiburg tour de force: Late victory in Kaiserslautern

Created: 07/31/2022Updated: 07/31/2022 18:23

Freiburg's Roland Sallai celebrates after his goal to make it 1-1.

© Tom Weller/dpa

SC Freiburg narrowly escapes a false start to the season.

In a hot cup fight in Kaiserslautern, the Europa League participant only secured progress after an extra 30-minute shift.

Kaiserslautern - Last year's finalist SC Freiburg averted an early cup knockout with difficulty.

The Bundesliga soccer club came to a 2-1 (1-1, 0-1) after extra time in the first round game at second-division promoted 1. FC Kaiserslautern on Sunday and can continue to dream of marching through to Berlin again.

Roland Sallai in the 82nd minute and Ritsu Doan (111th) saved the Europa League participants from the impending end with their late goals.

Marlon Ritter (33rd) had given the Red Devils the lead in front of 38,317 spectators with a dream goal from almost 50 meters.

From the start, Feuer was in the duel between the southwest rivals.

Freiburg relied primarily on playful elements, FCK on its fighting power.

Julian Niehues saw the yellow card after less than 60 seconds.

No team was able to create chances at first.

SC coach Christian Streich, who was voted coach of the year on Sunday, had to change for the first time in the 13th minute.

Killian Sildillia replaced the injured right-back Lukas Kübler.

Freiburg had more of the game, but could hardly embarrass the FCK defense.

The hosts acted snappy and were celebrated by the fans for every tackle.

Little went forward for the Palatinate, but a stroke of genius by Ritter brought the surprising lead.

The midfielder overcame SC keeper Mark Flekken, who was positioned too far in front of goal, with a shot almost from the halfway line.

The Dutchman was still on the ball with his fingertips, but couldn't prevent the goal.

The guests only got their first chance after the change.

Michael Gregoritsch, who came from FC Augsburg, narrowly missed from 15 meters.

Freiburg now increased the pressure, but in front of the goal the last consequence was initially missing.

As the season progressed, Kaiserslautern had to pay a little tribute to the intensive running work in midsummer temperatures.

Coach Dirk Schuster reacted and brought four fresh players who enlivened the FCK game.

Striker Terrence Boyd had several chances to make it 2-0, but couldn't take them all.

That took revenge, because Sallai saved the Breisgauer with the late equalizer in extra time, where Doan scored from a direct free kick to win.

dpa