Frantz's strike enough to give Freiburg vital win against Köln
Freiburg - SC Freiburg earned three priceless points in the battle against the drop after beating fellow strugglers 1. FC Köln 1-0 at home.
Freiburg breathe easier
As was perhaps to be expected in a relegation six-pointer, goalmouth action was replaced by full-blooded challenges in midfield, with Mike Frantz’s first-half goal all that separated the sides come the final whistle.
The torrential rain made conditions under foot tricky in the south-west, but it was the visitors who adapted quickest, settling into their customary counterattacking tactics with ease, allowing Freiburg to come forward before looking to exploit Anthony Ujah’s pace and power on the break. However, the hosts clawed their way back into the game and went in front when Frantz headed home Oliver Sorg’s right-wing cross.
That forced Köln to be more adventurous after the break but Freiburg were unable to make the most of the increasing gaps that appeared in the opposition half. Indeed, the best chances at both ends of the pitch came from dead-ball situations, but robust defending prevented any more goals being scored. The hosts seemed visibly relieved come the final whistle, recording a second successive victory to earn some breathing room in the relegation battle.
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