Honours even as Freiburg and Wolfsburg share spoils in stalemate
Freiburg and Wolfsburg shared the points in a 1-1 draw that saw Julian Schuster’s charges move into seventh, which would be enough to secure European football next term, while the Wolves moved out of the relegation zone and live to fight another day.
Freiburg 1-1 Wolfsburg
Goals: 0-1 Koulierakis 55’ (assist: Eriksen), 1-1 Lienhart 75’ (assist: Manzambi)
Both clubs arrived at the Europa-Park Stadion with significant stakes on Matchday 32. Julian Schuster's Freiburg needed a point to go above Eintracht Frankfurt into seventh with two games remaning, whilst Dieter Hecking's Wolfsburg were desperate to climb out of the automatic relegation zone.
Freiburg had played their Europa League semi-final first leg in Braga just 70 hours earlier and made three changes to their starting eleven, while Wolfsburg made two alterations as both teams chased crucial points.
Wolfsburg pressed high from the first whistle, forcing Freiburg into long balls and disrupting their build-up play. The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute when Christian Eriksen, after winning the ball on the edge of the area, unleashed a thunderous right-footed effort that cannoned back off the left post, with Noah Atubolu beaten.
Freiburg gradually settled, with Vincenzo Grifo seeing a free-kick sail over the bar in after Niklas Beste had been fouled just outside the area.
Freiburg dominate possession but lack a cutting edge
Freiburg controlled the ball for much of the first half, finishing with 63 per cent possession and completing 511 passes at 84 per cent accuracy. However, clear-cut chances were scarce.
Grifo tested Kamil Grabara with a curling effort, whilst Matthias Ginter bravely blocked a Adam Daghim shot with his face. Then, Patrick Wimmer fired wide for Wolfsburg as the visitors remained dangerous on the counter.
The half ended goalless, with Wolfsburg having had the better opportunities despite Freiburg's dominance of the ball.
Koulierakis heads Wolfsburg in front
Wolfsburg started the second half with renewed energy and Atubolu produced a fine save to deny Daghim shortly after the restart.
The visitors took the lead four minutes later when Eriksen delivered a perfectly weighted corner from the right, and Konstantinos Koulierakis rose highest at the far post to head the ball powerfully into the net. It was a deserved lead for Hecking's side, who had been the more threatening team throughout.
Lienhart's header restores parity
Schuster responded immediately to the setback, bringing on Igor Matanović for Lucas Höler and Philipp Lienhart for Bruno Ogbus.
Freiburg pushed forward and were rewarded with 15 minutes remaining when Johan Manzambi cut inside from the left and whipped in a delightful cross with his right foot, which Lienhart met with a powerful header that struck the far post before nestling in the net.
In the 90th minute, Manzambi drove forward and forced a superb save from Grabara, before Maximilian Eggestein's effort sailed over in added time. Wolfsburg also pressed for a late winner, earning a succession of corners, but Freiburg held firm to secure the draw.
Man of the Match: Philipp Lienhart
The Austrian came off the bench in the 58th minute and made an immediate and decisive impact on the match. The defender headed home Manzambi's cross to equalise for Freiburg, with the ball striking the far post before crossing the line.
His goal proved to be the turning point of the contest. Lienhart also went close with a further header and was voted Man of the Match with 48 per cent of the vote.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Freiburg 0.81 - Wolfsburg 0.84
Fastest player: Adam Daghim (Wolfsburg), 36.08 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1:1 by Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), 2 percent
Most pressed player: Adam Daghim (Wolfsburg), 18 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Philipp Treu (Freiburg), +3.29
Fantasy Heroes: Johan Manzambi (Freiburg, 277 Points), Konstantinos Koulierakis (Wolfsburg, 246 Points), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg, 243 Points)
