Free-scoring Freiburg hit six first-half goals past lacklustre Gladbach
Young prospect Kevin Schade bagged a goal and assist inside five minutes as Freiburg seal record-breaking victory in style
After a Rhine Derby to forget last weekend, hosts Borussia Mönchengladbach were eager to get back to winning ways. The case was similar for Black Forest visitors Freiburg who were also looking to turn things around after an upsetting loss on the road to promoted Bochum.
Despite Gladbach boasting a strong home record so far this season with only one loss to their name, they fell behind with two minutes on the clock. Kevin Schade found Eggestein in the box who managed to squeeze a shot through the legs of Rami Bensebaini for 0-1.
Less than three minutes later, captain Günter picked out the winger Schade, who climbed high above Scally to direct his header into the bottom right-hand corner. The youngster’s first goal of his Bundesliga career was met with a Christian Streich thumbs up as a seal of approval.
On 12 minutes the affair seemed all but over as a contest with the visitors making it 0-3. Schlotterbeck latched onto a freekick which Sommer could only parry outwards. Fellow Freiburg centre-half Lienhart didn’t hesitate before poking the ball home, making it his fourth of the 2020-21 season. A loud chorus of boos could be heard throughout Borussia-Park, Die Fohlen fans visibly unimpressed by their team unravelling inside the first 15 minutes.
Bad to worse would have been an understatement at this point, as Freiburg hit the front again scoring a fourth just before the 20-minute mark. Club legend Vincenzo Grifo’s corner to the near post was met by the head of Höfler, who stooped to guide the ball across goal and just inside the far post.
Amazingly, Freiburg bagged their fifth of the evening through another set-piece. A training ground move saw Grifo pick out Lienhart. The Austrian headed the ball back across the box finding Höfler who in turned provider this time, letting Höler head home from a yard out. A desperate Adi Hütter turned to his bench in a bid to get back into the game on 28 minutes. Plea and Lainer the early scapegoats who made way for Embolo and Herrmann as the home team switched to a traditional 4-4-2.
Nonetheless, formation changes and substitutions were not enough for Gladbach to learn their lessons in defending Freiburg’s lethal set-pieces. Grifo then made it two assists for his own personal tally on the night. His freekick was met perfectly by youngster Schlotterbeck who left Yann Sommer rooted to the ground in goal. Despite his constant threat in the air, this was only the German’s first senior goal in Freiburg colours.
With the scoreboard reading 0-6 at half-time, the game became one for the history books with it being only the second time in Bundesliga history where an away side led by six goals at the interval. Furthermore, this also marked a record for the Breisgau side with 0-6 being the biggest winning margin Freiburg have held during their time in the Bundesliga.
After such a compelling and dominant display from the visitors, the second half became nothing more than a formality as the game ebbed towards the final whistle. Both sides made half hearted attempts at attacking their respective opponents’ goals. Höler had the best chance after the break. His sweetly struck volley would’ve been a nailed-on contender for goal of the month, unfortunately the ball dipped marginally the wrong side of the crossbar.
A memorable night for Streich’s outfit who took all three points and hold onto fourth place for another week, as Gladbach are left to contend with a below par 13th place for their standards.