Freiburg continue pursuit of Europe at home fortress
The home side came into the game with their joint-best points tally after 21 matches as they looked to secure a top-four finish for just the second time. Breisgau-Brasilianer started the game on the front foot as they looked to build on their strong season so far, and did just that just before the half-hour mark, as Vincenzo Grifo rifled a superb direct free-kick in off the post.
The visitors however came into the game having lost three of their last four Bundesliga matches, and would've been hoping for a positive result to revitalise their season. Leverkusen almost had their equaliser 10 minutes later as German midfielder Kerem Demirbay rifled a shot towards the top corner, only for Mark Flekken to make a strong save to keep his effort out.
Die Schwarzroten had another chance to equalise with the last kick of the first half as Moussa Diaby raced through on goal, but yet again Flekken was on hand to deny the visitors of an equaliser.
Leverkusen started the second half on the front foot as they looked to find an equaliser, and they found it midway through the second half, as Mitchel Bakker put in a phenomenal cross with the outside of his boot for Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun to volley across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner to get his side a well-deserved equaliser. The hosts almost replied immediately though, as Grifo whipped in another dangerous free-kick where Matthias Ginter headed onto the woodwork at the back post.
Die Schwarzroten went close to stealing all three points in added time, as Czech Republic international Patrik Schick saw his effort from close range rattle to post. However, the game ended all square, meaning that Freiburg ended the gameweek outside the top-four after RB Leipzig’s victory on Saturday, however they remain within touching distance with the gap being just one point. The result however, means that Leverkusen remain in the bottom half as they reside in 11th two points off the top half of the table.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Vincenzo Grifo (SC Freiburg)
