Grifo ties Petersen's record as Freiburg extend home streak against Leverkusen | OneFootball

Martin Terrier had the first chance of the game when his effort missed the target. Until Equi Fernandez’s similar shot from outside the box in the 21st minute, Freiburg controlled the game after that, though.

First, Jan-Niklas Beste was unable to test Janis Blaswich from close range inside the first ten minutes. Leverkusen’s goalkeeper would then make a superb save from Vincenzo Grifo. Freiburg players felt they deserved a penalty-kick when Robert Andrich blocked Igor Matanović from reaching the rebound, but the referee waved play to continue.

A different decision could’ve handed Vincenzo Grifo a chance to tie Nils Petersen’s record, but the former Italian international wasn’t going to be denied, anyhow. A move that was started by Noah Atubolu created the historic occasion for the winger.

The former Bayern Munich striker was in attendance to witness Grifo becoming the second Freiburg player with 105 goals. As fate has it, Christian Günter, who has been at the club for his entire career, provided the assist as Grifo beat Blaswich with a scuffed shot. Moments later, Leverkusen got their goal with a similarly well-worked move.

Christian Kofane, who was the matchwinner in Wednesday’s victory in Hamburg, scored once again with a measured finish from the edge of the box. However, Freiburg retook the lead after yet another impressive buildup play that started with Atubolu.

Yuito Suzuki provided the finishing touch after playing a big part in the move. If it wasn’t for an excellent save from Blaswich, the Japanese midfielder could’ve added the third in the first minute of injury-time. That intervention proved decisive as Leverkusen went into the break tied at 2-2 with yet another free-kick masterclass from Alejandro Grimaldo just before the half-time whistle.

Leverkusen were ahead for the first time early after the restart when Kofane played Terrier through with a fine assist. Shortly after, the Cameroonian striker missed a golden chance when he was presented with an opportunity to add another goal to his impressive performance.

Back from serving a three-game suspension, Johan Manzambi was influential for Freiburg as he nearly puts them back into the game with a ferocious shot from outside the box.

Just when Freiburg’s home streak was in real danger, Matthias Ginter saved them with a clinical finish after a superb ball to the box by substitute Derry Scherhant. They could’ve even won it in the end, but Ginter was denied a second goal for offside. Nonetheless, they're now 16 games unbeaten in front of their fans. Leverkusen will stay in sixth place after only winning one of their last four.

Their next three games will be against the two best teams in Europe. A Champions League Round of 16 tie against Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie’s Arsenal will be sandwiched by Bayern Munich’s visit to BayArena. Freiburg will be in Europa League action against Belgian side Genk.