Freiburg secure late win over Heidenheim to deepen their relegation worries
Freiburg made it three wins on the bounce in all competitions with their 2-1 win at home to Heidenheim on Matchday 30, pushing Frank Schmidt's side ever closer to relegation.
Freiburg 2–1 Heidenheim
Goals: 1-0 Manzambi 24‘ (assist: Grifo), 1-1 Zivzivadze 59‘ (assist: Honsak), 2-1 Eggestein 83‘ (assist: Grifo)
Fresh from their Europa League heroics against Celta Vigo, Freiburg returned to Bundesliga action looking to maintain momentum in their push for European qualification.
Julian Schuster's side entered the match sitting two points behind seventh-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, whilst Schmidt's Heidenheim arrived in Freiburg having ended a 15-match winless run with victory over Union Berlin last time out. The visitors' recent upturn in form had given them a glimmer of hope in their relegation battle, though they remained seven points adrift of the relegation play-off spot occupied by St. Pauli.
Manzambi provides early breakthrough
The hosts controlled the early exchanges but clear chances were limited until the 14th minute when Vincenzo Grifo found Johan Manzambi inside the box, only for the youngster to fire into the side netting from a tight angle. Heidenheim responded shortly after when Arijon Ibrahimović crossed for Marvin Pieringer, whose header also found the side netting.
It was Freiburg who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Grifo led a counter-attack before feeding Manzambi, who drove inside and fired a low shot that took a decisive deflection off Patrick Mainka to beat Diant Ramaj. Freiburg continued to press and almost doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Grifo's deflected effort from distance bounced off the crossbar.
Super sub Zivzivadze levels proceedings
Schmidt made a tactical adjustment at half-time, introducing Budu Zivzivadze for Julian Niehues, and the change paid immediate dividends as Heidenheim started the second period with greater purpose. The substitute was instantly involved, seeing an early volley blocked by Matthias Ginter.
Heidenheim's pressure eventually told in the 59th minute when Mathias Honsak fed Zivzivadze just outside the box, and the Georgian international curled a superb left-footed strike into the far corner beyond Noah Atubolu. Freiburg responded swiftly and should have regained the lead five minutes later when Manzambi's defence-splitting pass found Lucas Höler clean through, but Ramaj raced off his line to make a crucial save.
Eggestein decides tight contest
The match became increasingly open as it entered its final stages. Just as it seemed the points might be shared, Freiburg struck the decisive blow in the 83rd minute. Grifo, influential throughout, found Maximilian Eggestein just inside the penalty area, and the midfielder turned before firing a low shot that took a slight deflection before nestling in the bottom corner.
Heidenheim refused to surrender and twice came close to a second equaliser through Stefan Schimmer, who headed narrowly wide from Christian Conteh's cross in the 88th minute before seeing another effort blocked from close range in stoppage time. Freiburg, however, held firm to secure a victory that strengthens their European aspirations while leaving Heidenheim with ground to make up in their bid for Bundesliga survival.
Man of the Match: Johan Manzambi
The young Freiburg midfielder delivered a match-winning performance that went beyond his crucial opening goal. Manzambi was at the heart of Freiburg's most dangerous attacks, testing Heidenheim's defence with his direct running and creative passing.
His goal may have benefited from a deflection, but it was just reward for his efforts, and his inch-perfect through ball to Höler in the second half deserved an assist. The statistics backed up his impressive display, with Manzambi earning the highest Fantasy Manager ranking of any player (276 points) and constantly keeping the Heidenheim defence on their toes.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Freiburg 1.97 - Heidenheim1.71
Fastest player: Bruno Ogbus (Freiburg), 34.99 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Johan Manzambi (Freiburg), 4 percent
Most pressed player: Mathias Honsak (Heidenheim), 6 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Julian Niehues (Heidenheim), +1.64
Fantasy Heroes: Johan Manzambi (Freiburg, 276 Points), Vincenzo Grifo (Freiburg, 261 Points), Budu Zivzivadze (Heidenheim, 214 Points)
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