Freiburg found the opening at the last, then found themselves on top of Germany. A 2-1 home victory over promoted Schalke 04 sent the Black Forest club to first place after five Bundesliga rounds, taking advantage of dropped points for Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Freiburg strike late to reach first place
The leaders had to work through a difficult afternoon against Schalke, particularly after Yuito Suzuki was dismissed in the 64th minute following his second yellow card.
With the score still level and Freiburg down to 10 men, substitute Vincenzo Grifo delivered the cross that allowed Keisuke Goto to score the decisive goal in the 85th minute. The 2-1 result extended Freiburg’s winning run and lifted them above Dortmund on goal difference.
- Freiburg beat Schalke 04 2-1 in the fifth round.
- Yuito Suzuki was sent off after receiving a second booking in the 64th minute.
- Keisuke Goto scored the winner five minutes from time.
- Vincenzo Grifo, introduced from the bench, supplied the decisive delivery.
- Freiburg now sit two points ahead of both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Last season’s Europa League finalists will travel to Bayer Leverkusen in the next round, with the early table now offering an unexpected opportunity to establish breathing room at the summit.
Bayern and Dortmund leave the door open
Neither Bayern nor Dortmund managed to win during the weekend, allowing Freiburg to move clear of the two traditional powers. Freiburg’s superior goal difference puts them first, while the margin over both chasers stands at two points.
The situation is very different at the foot of the table, where Borussia Mönchengladbach suffered another damaging defeat.
Gladbach’s bleak start continues in Cologne
Mönchengladbach lost 2-1 at Cologne in a derby played amid tense scenes in the stands. The defeat leaves the Foals without a point from their opening five league matches.
- Mönchengladbach have conceded 18 goals across five Bundesliga fixtures.
- They remain on zero points after five rounds.
- Among Europe’s five major leagues, only Venice share that unwanted start.
For Freiburg, the late goal brought a table-topping Sunday. For Gladbach, another derby defeat deepened a crisis that is already alarming after only five matches.
