Doan does for Hoffenheim as Freiburg climb back into Bundesliga top four
Freiburg’s five-game unbeaten run in all competitions ended with a 1-0 defeat to Juventus in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie in midweek.
However, despite suffering that loss late on Thursday, there were no signs of a European hangover as they flew out of the starting blocks at the Europa-Park Stadion, taking the lead in the fifth minute.
Oliver Baumann could only punch Vincenzo Grifo’s inswinging cross into the path of Maximilian Eggestein, who thumped home his first goal of the season.
Pellegrino Matarazzo, who was still searching for his first points as Hoffenheim boss in his fifth game in charge, could only watch on as his side failed to register a single shot on target during a lacklustre first-half performance, giving him significant work to do at the break.
Matarazzo’s charges evidently took heed of his words, as they pulled themselves level within four minutes of the restart. Angelo Stiller received the ball on the 18-yard line, before firing a low strike in at the near post.
Although clear-cut chances were hard to come by in a scrappy second period, the hosts carved out an opening through Michael Gregoritsch, who forced Baumann into a smart stop.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Hoffenheim were reduced to 10 men when Ozan Kabak was shown a second yellow card for throwing the ball away. It proved to be a pivotal moment, as Freiburg made full use of the numerical advantage to produce a late winner.
Noah Weisshaupt’s dangerous delivery was guided home by Doan to extend Hoffenheim’s winless run to 14 league games.
Freiburg are now unbeaten in 11 home league games and move into the Champions League places for the time being. Hoffenheim, meanwhile, remain at the foot of the table, two points clear of safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Maximilian Eggestein (Freiburg)
