Dominant Dortmund strike four in Freiburg

Niko Kovac’s side returned to their European aspirations after a confident 3-1 win against Mainz. Meanwhile, Freiburg started the game with a three-game winless streak after losing at home to a valiant Union Berlin team last week.

Niko Kovac had to replace Yan Couto and Nico Schlotterbeck as both defenders were out due to suspensions. In midfield, Carney Chukwuemeka makes his first start since his loan move from Chelsea in January.

As for the hosts, Julian Schuster brought four changes from last week, including Florian Müller replacing the influential Noah Atubolu. The young goalkeeper injured his shoulder in the defeat to Union Berlin.

Freiburg created the first chance of the game through Ritsu Dōan, but it was a rare Dortmund dominant performance from start to finish. Ramy Bensebaini and Junior Adamu, who both didn’t start their respective teams’ previous game, missed clear-cut scoring opportunities in an electric opening to the game.

And, ten minutes before the end of first-half, Dortmund opened the score with a well-worked move. Karim Adeyemi puts the finishing touch on a move that started with the right-back Julian Ryerson.

Just like the first-half, Freiburg created the first chance after the break, but Gregor Kobel was alert to deny Dōan. Five minutes later, the visitors scored the decisive second goal of the game when Chukwuemeka’s deflected effort ended up in the net.

At the hour mark, Kovac introduced Serhou Guirassy as the Guinean striker returned to the side after missing last weekend’s game. Guirassy made a quick impression as he scored Dortmund’s third seven minutes after his introduction.

Soon after, Freiburg’s in-form attacker Dōan tried to reduce the deficit, but it was a flawless game for Dortmund. Jamie Gittens, who didn’t have the best of times since Kovac’s arrival, added the fourth for the visitors.

Thanks to their magnificent second-half showing, Dortmund nearly scored a fifth on multiple occasions before Freiburg got on the scoresheet. As expected, Dōan was involved as he assisted Maximilian Eggestein’s late strike.

Dortmund climbed to 8th in the Bundesliga after back-to-back wins. After successive home defeats, Freiburg sit a point and a place ahead of their visitors. Kovac’s team will now face Barcelona in the first-leg of a Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday.