Sildillia's header secures crucial away win for Freiburg in Bochum
Killiann Sildillia's first-half header and a solid defensive display secured a 1-0 away victory for Freiburg against Bochum, who suffered their first home defeat of 2025.
Bochum 0-1 Freiburg
Goals: 0-1 Sildillia 34' (assist: Günter)
The visitors entered the match looking to halt a three-game losing streak that had seen them slip into the bottom half of the table for the first time this season. Freiburg's interim head coach Julian Schuster faced a tactical challenge against Bochum head coach Dieter Hecking, who surprised by lining up his team in a four-back formation for the first time since taking charge.
Bochum dominate early proceedings
The home side started the match with intent, dominating possession and creating several chances. Gerrit Holtmann was particularly lively, and in the 22nd minute, he came agonisingly close to opening the scoring. The winger's left-footed strike from outside the box rattled the crossbar, leaving Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu beaten.
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Sildillia strikes against the run of play
Despite Bochum's dominance, it was Freiburg who broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. Christian Günter's corner from the right found Sildillia at the near post. The French defender rose highest, outjumping his marker to power a header past Patrick Drewes. It was Sildillia's first-ever Bundesliga goal, coming in his 70th appearance in the German top flight.
Bochum push for equaliser
The second half saw Bochum intensify their efforts to find an equaliser. Hecking made a triple substitution in the 63rd minute, bringing on Tom Krauß, Myron Boadu, and Koji Miyoshi to inject fresh energy into the attack. The hosts continued to dominate possession and created several chances, with Holtmann particularly active. The winger ended the match with a personal record of seven shots, the most he's ever attempted in a Bundesliga game.
Freiburg's resolute defence holds firm
As Bochum pushed forward, Freiburg retreated into a defensive shell, often deploying a five-man backline to protect their lead. Atubolu was called into action several times in the second half, making crucial saves to deny the likes of Philipp Hofmann and Miyoshi. The young goalkeeper's performance was vital in securing Freiburg's first clean sheet since Matchday 10. In the dying minutes, Lucas Höler had a golden opportunity to seal the victory for Freiburg on a counter-attack, but his effort was well saved by Drewes.
Player of the Match: Kiliann Sildillia
Kiliann Sildillia's match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match honours. The 23-year-old defender not only scored the decisive goal but also put in a solid defensive shift. His goal, a well-timed header from Günter's corner, proved to be the difference in a tightly contested match. Sildillia's all-round display, combining attacking threat with defensive stability, was crucial in helping Freiburg end their three-match losing streak and secure a valuable away victory.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bochum 1.57 - Freiburg 2.05
Fastest player: Moritz Broschinski (BOC), 34.7 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Kiliann Sildillia (SCF), 29 percent
Most pressed player: Lucas Höler (SCF), 25 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Ivan Ordets (BOC), +3.67
Fantasy Heroes: Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg, 365 Points), Bernardo (Bochum, 266 Points), Maximilian Eggestein (Freiburg, 202 Points)
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