By Daily Sports on December 20, 2021
Kevin Schade poached a late winning goal on Sunday as Freiburg finished 2021 third in the Bundesliga table after a 2-1 home win over Bayer Leverkusen.
The 20-year-old Schade came off the bench and stole a march on Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky at a corner to tap the winner into the net six minutes from time.
Freiburg coach Christian Streich let out a primal scream at the final whistle as his team go into the winter break in their highest league ranking in the club's history.
“We really wanted to be third over the festive period,” goal-scorer Vincenzo Grifo told DAZN.
“When we look at the table over Christmas, it makes for good reading.”
Freiburg took the lead at their Europa Park Stadium in Germany’s Black Forest when Italy forward Grifo chipped in a first-half penalty.
Leverkusen equalised just before the break when Germany defender Jonathan Tah hooked a pass to Charles Aranguiz who headed past the Freiburg goalkeeper.
However, with time running out Schade ghosted in front of Hradecky and flicked the ball into the net to the despair of the Leverkusen goalkeeper.
Freiburg’s defence has conceded a club-record low of 16 league goals in the first half of the season. The hosts’ worked tirelessly to contain Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick who scored eight goals in his previous three Bundesliga games.
Freiburg’s win saw them leap-frog Leverkusen into third spot, 14 points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. The Bavarian giants are on course to win a tenth straight Bundesliga title and start the two-week winter break nine points clear at the top of the table after Friday’s 4-0 thrashing of Wolfsburg.
Second-placed Borussia Dortmund blew the chance to trim Bayern’s huge lead on Saturday when they slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Hertha Berlin. (AFP)
•PHOTO: Freiburg scorer Schade
Source Daily Sports
Posted December 20, 2021
You may also like...
Finalissima 2025: Messi’s Argentina, Yamal’s Spain set for...
As Super Eagles Lock Horns With Indomitable Lions...
Cycling Lagos 2018: organisers inspire kids with children's...
Isaac Success return to training excites Watford coach...
Nigeria wins hosting right of Africa Beach Soccer...
Shehu Dikko Vs NANPF: Who will blink first?...
Commonwealth Games: Nigeria ranks ninth on all-time medals table
Ex-Milan legend Baresi dies at 66
Morocco edge Algeria to book WAFCON quarter-final spot
Asian football confederation joins UEFA, CONCACAF in opposing FIFA investment plan
Okocha, Portable set for chaos in the ring clash today
Malawi loss wake-up call – Madugu
We’ll come back against Zambia – Okoronkwo
Six Okpekpe athletes earn N8m windfall
Amusan begins bid for third Commonwealth title
UEFA calls emergency meeting over FIFA investment plans
My time with Brazil is over, Neymar retires from international football
NSC promises Falcons $5k per goal
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,993 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,345 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,246 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,845 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,726 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,598 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,491 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (52,002 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,219 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,686 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,171 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,554 views)