Grifo's late stunner secures fourth straight draw for Freiburg against Frankfurt | OneFootball

Freiburg’s goalless draw in Gladbach barely had clear-cut chances, but Julian Schuster’s side got off the mark inside the first couple of minutes here. Against his ex-club, Frankfurt’s Robin Koch was at fault as Derry Scherhant scored in his first start, with the assist coming from Johan Manzambi.

Scherhant earned his place after continuing his good form with a brace in a 7-0 friendly win against Karlsruhe. Before the 20th-minute mark, Frankfurt equalized with a defensive mix-up at the other end. Jonathan Burkardt netted his sixth goal for his new club with a confident finish.

The ex-Mainz striker has now scored in three successive seasons against Freiburg. The hosts had the better of the proceedings after that, but Burkardt put Frankfurt in front with an improvised finish six minutes before the half-time break. The German international flicked it home from Farès Chaïbi’s cutback after Jordy Makengo was dispossessed in the danger zone.

Freiburg also had a chance to score two minutes after the restart, but Manzambi’s uncontested header failed to find the target. The Swiss international attempted a shot from outside the box moments later, but it was deflected by fellow countryman Aurèle Amenda.

The hosts continued to ask questions, and Schuster made his first substitutions with the introduction of ex-Frankfurt striker Igor Matanović and Yuito Suzuki, who was signed to replace fellow Japanese midfielder Ritsu Dōan. Dino Toppmöller responded by subbing on the experienced duo of Ellyes Skhiri and Mario Götze.

Dōan was then applauded by Freiburg fans when he made way for Ansgar Knauff for the last twenty minutes. With Christian Streich present in the stands, Schuster then introduced Freiburg’s long-serving captains, Christian Günter and Vincenzo Grifo.

And, the latter did make the desired effect from yet another direct free-kick. The Italian midfielder caught Kauã Santos’ by surprise to score in that manner for the 22nd time. Grifo now only needs three goals to reach a century of goals in Freiburg colors. Both teams had golden chances to steal three points in injury-time through Nathaniel Brown and Matthias Ginter.

Freiburg’s next couple of Bundesliga fixtures will be away from home against Bayer Leverkusen and Union Berlin. Before that, they will hope to continue their unbeaten start in the Europa League when they host Sebastian Haller’s Utrecht on Thursday.

Hugo Ekitike will also return to Germany as Frankfurt entertain Liverpool in Wednesday’s Champions League action. The next two games will also be at the Deutsche Bank Park against St. Pauli and Borussia Dortmund (Pokal).