Freiburg back up to third after comfortable win over Union Berlin
Freiburg moved back up into third place in the Bundesliga as they defeated Union Berlin 2-0 at Europa-Park Stadion on Matchday 9 of the 2026/27 campaign.
Freiburg 2-0 Union BerlinGoals: 1-0 Khedira (own goal) 56’, 2-0 Suzuki 67’ (assist: Scherhant)
Freiburg's strong start to the campaign continued with a 1-0 win away at Trabzonspor in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, and Julian Schuster made five changes to that team as Matthias Ginter also made his 200th Bundesliga appearance for the club. Union, meanwhile, came into the game on the back of a four-game unbeaten run and were unchanged from their draw with Cologne last time out.
Freiburg started the brighter of the two sides and went close early on through Igor Matanović and Derry Scherhant. After a considerable lull in proceedings, goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow produced two crucial saves towards the end of the half, first denying Yuito Suzukii's low effort and then tipping Matanović's close-range header around the post six minutes later. Union, meanwhile, failed to register a single shot at goal before the break, although they at least went into half-time on level terms.
Mauro Lustrinelli sent on Woo-yeong Jeong and Oliver Burke at the break to add attacking threat, but Freiburg continued to dominate possession, and they eventually got the lead they deserved shortly before the hour mark. Suzuki fed Niklas Beste, and his low cross was turned into his own net by Rani Khedira.
Freiburg then doubled their advantage midway through the half when Scherhant played a precise through ball for Suzuki, who went around Rønnow and lifted a delicate chip into the net. Freiburg had a chance to make it three from the penalty spot after András Schäfer fouled substitute Keisuke Gotō, but fellow replacement Vincenzo Grifo saw his spot-kick pushed onto the post by Rønnow. The goalkeeper then denied Lucas Höler from close range two minutes later, but Freiburg had still done more than enough to pick up the three points.
Man of the Match: Yuito Suzuki
Suzuki was involved in both Freiburg goals, setting up Beste's cross that led to Khedira's own goal before scoring the decisive second himself with a composed finish over Rønnow. He also tested Rønnow with a dangerous effort at the start of the second half and was named Man of the Match with 44 percent of the votes.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Freiburg 2.54 - Union 0.73
Fastest player: Oliver Burke (Union), 35.31 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-0 by Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg), 19 percent
Pass efficiency: Maximilian Eggestein (Freiburg), +3.96
Fantasy Heroes: Frederik Rønnow (Union Berlin, 342 Points), Yuito Suzuki (Freiburg, 236 Points), Philipp Treu (Freiburg, 236 Points)
