Freiburg flatten Schalke as Gregoritsch runs riot
After an all-important win over Hertha last weekend, Schalke made the trip to Breisgau this afternoon. A challenge of a different magnitude awaited Thomas Reis’ team – a rake of injuries for ‘Die Knappen’ and the Champions League chasing Freiburg to contend with.
Streich’s side would put the Schalke to the sword in the end. A first-half brace from Michael Gregoritsch set them on their way to a 4-0 victory.
Streich’s side would put the Schalke to the sword in the end. A first-half brace from Michael Gregoritsch set them on their way to a 4-0 victory.
| Lucas Höler. | Photo: SC Freiburg |
Gregoritsch doubled his and Freiburg’s tally when he made it 2-0 with ten minutes left in the half. Lukas Kübler whipped a delightful ball into the Schalke box. The deftest of touches from the eagle-eyed Austrian was enough to beat Schwolow for a second time. Streich’s outfit in cruise control at the interval.
Reis introduced Frey and Greiml after the break but to little avail. Freiburg’s Höler capitalised on a poor Uronen clearance to make it 3-0 on 52 minutes. Just after the hour mark, Gregoritsch had a chance to bag his hattrick – Schwolow, deputising for the injured Fährmann, was able to react in time.
Fellow Austrian Lienhart came close to bagging his side’s fourth before Streich replaced the big guns – Grifo, Gregoritsch, and Dōan all called ashore. However, it would be his centre-half partner Mathias Ginter who tapped home for 4-0. Skipper, Christian Günter’s corner found Merlin Röhl who in turn set up the German international. A routine victory in the end for a Gregoritsch-inspired Freiburg.