Scoring again for Freiburg's survival drive: Gregoritsch sinks struggling Cologne
Ace striker Michael Gregoritsch has delivered another devastating blow to relegation-threatened Cologne with a late goal in Freiburg's 2-0 victory at the Europa Park Stadium. The result leaves Baumgart's Rhinelanders still searching for their third win of the season as they linger at the foot of the Bundesliga.
With the final game of the campaign looming against fellow battlers Union Berlin, Köln now reside in 16th position in the table. Meanwhile, Christian Streich's resurgent Freiburg have extended their unbeaten run to four games, thanks largely to Gregoritsch's continued brilliance.
A lacklustre contest in front of 34,700 spectators in the sold-out venue saw Freiburg come out on top, thanks to a late strike from the Austrian international in the 72nd minute, and Roland Sallai's injury-time finish. The Buchallee outfit have now triumphed three times in a row, with Gregoritsch serving as the match-winner on each occasion.
On-form Freiburg overpowered their mediocre opponents, with Cologne struggling for attack, having scored just ten goals after fifteen games. A yellow card for Jeff Chabot, following a needless foul in the 60th minute, added to Köln's woes.
Protests by Ultra fans, who took aim at investors entering the German Football League, marred an untidy fixture that saw both sides struggle throughout. Baumgart's men were ultimately undone by their visitors' superiority in the second half, as they failed to replicate their earlier enthusiasm.
Prior to the match, Michael Gregoritsch was surprisingly left on the bench by Streich, having scored the winning goals in Freiburg's recent victories against Mainz and Wolfsburg. However, the unlikely substitution enabled Freiburg to dominate the contest, forging a secure backline led by captain Matthias Ginter and promising left-back Jordy Makengo.
As Cologne's defense wilted under the pressure, a fortunate spell for the hosts saw both Gregoritsch and Roland Sallai convert late chances to add gloss to the scoreline, denying a blunt Danish striker, Davie Selke, any opportunity to salvage a result.
Extra Insights:
- Despite Freiburg currently holding a comfortable berth in mid-table, they were the kings of the relegation fight towards the tail-end of last season, securing safety by just one point.
- Prior to this season, Cologne boasted an impressive 15th-place finish, but a poor start to 2022-23 has left them in a precarious position.
- Raumdeuter captain Vicenzo Grifo had his best chance of the encounter, striking the woodwork from distance, but the 29-year-old Italian subsequently squandered further opportunities in a lacklustre display.
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