Freiburg march on to Pokal semi-final after 1-2 defeat of Bochum
Super-sub Sallai took advantage of a sloppy Leitsch back pass to score 120th minute game winning goal in extra-time.
The only Pokal quarter-final pairing that made up an all-Bundesliga clash was that of VfL Bochum and SC Freiburg, where the team hailing from Breisgau put in the hard yards to give themselves the last semi-final berth in Germany’s premier cup competition.
Bochum, who have been ever so consistent at home this season, held the lion’s share of the ball in the opening fifteen minutes. Gerrit Holtmann came closest for Reis’ side early on when he glanced a header wide of the left upright. Just before the half hour mark Freiburg created a good chance of their own. Kubler’s right wing cross found its way to Grifo but the Italian took too long to unleash a shot, which allowed Gamboa time to intervene.
Both Flekken and Riemann played important roles in denying any sniff of a goalscoring chance at either end of the pitch. Given how intense the 45 minutes had been, this did not reflect on the scoreboard one bit as it remained 0-0 going into the halfway stage.
Streich’s side completed their dream start to the second half when veteran Nils Petersen made it 0-1 in the 51st minute. Kubler found Schade in an advanced position and the winger’s shot was too hot to handle for Riemann, managing to direct the effort towards Freiburg’s record goal scorer who converted with ease.
Going behind in a cup game is always tough going, but Bochum persisted, and it was clear they were building momentum as time progressed. Another attack down the right flank followed, and Wolfsburg loanee Rexhbecaj’s perfectly weighted cross met Polter’s downward header – Flekken left stranded as the game was level once again.
Despite the home crowd giving it everything to see their VfL progress at Castroper Strasse, and both Reis and Streich using their benches in the remaining 25 minutes, the teams could not be separated after a 1-1 draw - extra time followed.
On 99 minutes Bochum posed yet another serious threat to the Freiburg goal. A short corner found Lowen on the edge of the box. The midfielder whipped in a dangerous ball that seemed to double as a shot. Fortunately for Flekken who knew little about it, the effort avoided everyone and struck the keeper unawares.
Bochum were in firm control of the game as the clock ticked towards the dreaded penalty shoot-out. As if fate would have it, it was Bochum who went behind 1-2 and in the cruellest of fashion. A poorly judged back pass from Leitsch to Riemann was intercepted by Sallai. The Hungarian, previously subbed on for Grifo on 70 minutes, rolled the ball past Riemann to snatch victory and reach the Pokal’s final four.
Cruel on Bochum who could have won the game given the chances they created, but fortune favoured the visitors from the Black Forest in a very closely fought affair.