SC Freiburg fought to a 2-2 draw away at Eintracht Frankfurt in a match featuring six new Germany internationals. The result extends Freiburg's winless Bundesliga run against Frankfurt to nine games, but they maintain their unbeaten start to the season and sit third in the table with ten points from four matches.
Younes Ebnoutalib put the hosts ahead in the tenth minute. Derry Scherhant equalised for Freiburg in the 34th minute, but Jonathan Burkardt restored Frankfurt's lead just two minutes later. Yuito Suzuki secured a point for the visitors with his goal early in the second half.
Frankfurt coach Adi Hütter set his team up in a back four, giving Ebnoutalib more attacking freedom. Freiburg's defence, marshalled by Matthias Ginter and goalkeeper Mio Backhaus, conceded more goals in that first half than in their first three league games of the season combined. After the break, increased pressure from the visitors earned them a deserved equaliser. Coach Christian Streich praised his team's reaction after the poor defensive start.
The point in Frankfurt keeps SC Freiburg within touching distance of the top. With ten points from four games, they are just two points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Christian Streich's team remains unbeaten in their first five competitive matches this season. The full standings show the tight competition at the top of the table.
Six players from the match were called up by Germany coach Jürgen Klopp for the upcoming internationals. From Eintracht Frankfurt, Younes Ebnoutalib, Jonathan Burkardt and Philipp Treu received the call. SC Freiburg will be represented by Derry Scherhant, Jannik Engelhardt and Noah Atubolo. Klopp said these six should therefore be able to meet at the national team gathering at the start of the week without any resentment. He highlighted the strong performances of all the call-ups in the opening weeks of the season.
For Eintracht Frankfurt, it was a ninth consecutive Bundesliga home game without a win, leaving them in ninth place. Coach Adi Hütter expressed satisfaction with the performance but criticised his team's concentration in the minutes after conceding goals. SC Freiburg now turn their attention to their next home fixture. On Sunday, 10 October, they host FC Schalke 04, who currently sit 11th, at 17:30. Before that, Freiburg will have to cope without key players like the injured Florent Muslija. Frankfurt will also be missing two important players, Omar Marmoush and Robin Koch, for their next match.
Further reading: Tagesschau
