Spoils shared in Hoffenheim after thrilling draw
Sinsheim - Ten-man 1899 Hoffenheim and nine-man SC Freiburg served up a corking 3-3 draw at the Rhein-Neckar Arena.
Strobl sizzler
Opening the scoring and receiving his marching orders all in the space of ten barnstorming minutes, Sejad Salihovic set the tone for a thrilling encounter, with Freiburg swiftly equalising through Oliver Sorg’s deflected drive. A moment of magic from Kevin Volland restored the Sinsheimers’ lead, but Freiburg were soon back on level terms in more ways than one when Karim Guede swept home from close range, before Francis Coquelin’s late challenge on Volland ensured both sides went in at the break with ten men apiece.
The drama didn't stop there as in-form Hoffenheim newcomer Anthony Modeste bent agonisingly wide of Oliver Baumann’s left-hand post after the restart. David Abraham then inadvertently sent a Sorg free kick onto the roof of his own net, with Sebastian Freis applying the all-important touch to Jonathan Schmid’s ensuing corner to put Freiburg ahead for the first time.
Markus Gisdol’s men were in no mood to let slip their unbeaten start to the campaign, and duly levelled matters courtesy of substitute Tobias Strobl’s sizzling 77th-minute drive, leaving 12th-place Freiburg, who had Admir Mehmedi sent off late on, still without a win this season.
Line-ups and statistics
