Acknowledged, Atubolu, the Slayer of Elfers.
In a tightly contested match at the Weser Stadium, SC Freiburg emerged victorious against Werder Bremen with a commanding 3-0 win. The Breisgau-Brasilianer started the game compactly, preventing their opponents from gaining momentum.
The only goal of the first half came from the spot, after Bremen's new signing Cameron Puertas handled the ball, allowing Vincenzo Grifo to convert the resulting penalty (33').
In the second half, Freiburg stepped up their offensive game. Junior Adamu scored a beautiful counter-attack goal, putting them two up (54'). The scoreline was further extended when Karim Coulibaly inadvertently found the back of his own net (75'), summing up Bremen's miserable afternoon.
Freiburg's coach, Julian Schuster, had emphasised the importance of their first win of the season before the match. His tactical approach paid off, as his team maintained a solid defence throughout the game, making it a tough match for the spectators.
Werder Bremen's managing director, Clemens Fritz, demanded more speed and clarity in their actions at half-time. However, Bremen struggled to create chances, with Marco Friedl's long-range shot being their only threat (39.).
The absence of Werder Bremen's new signing Samuel Mbangula due to muscular problems affected their play, as they lacked a key weapon in attack. Noah Atubolu, Freiburg's goalkeeper, saved a penalty in the 59th minute, marking his fifth consecutive penalty save in the Bundesliga, a feat not recently matched by any other goalkeeper in the league.
The win is Freiburg's second consecutive victory, following their opening two defeats. This result boosts their confidence ahead of their Europa League opener against FC Basel on Wednesday. On the other hand, Werder Bremen face a tough trip to Bayern Munich next weekend, where another setback could be on the cards.
For Werder Bremen, it was a setback, as they failed to score for the first time this season, a week after their 4-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Both teams had impressed offensively in their previous matches, with Freiburg securing a 3-1 win in the South West Derby against VfB Stuttgart.
