Lucas Höler's double delight propels Freiburg to victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach
Lucas Höler scored two and set up another as Freiburg overcame Borussia Mönchengladbach to earn a first Bundesliga win in over a month.
Freiburg 3-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 1-0 Höler 42', 2-0 Dōan 49', 2-1 Kleindienst 61’ (assist: Ullrich), 3-1 Höler 63' (assist: Grifo)
The two teams entered the match level on points, occupying sixth and seventh places respectively, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter in the Black Forest.
First-half stalemate broken
The first half was a closely fought affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Gladbach's Alassane Pléa came closest to breaking the deadlock, shooting wide in the 34th minute. Just as it seemed the teams would go into the break level, Höler struck for Freiburg. The forward pounced on a rebound after Michael Gregoritsch's initial shot was saved, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 41st minute.
Second-half goal fest
Freiburg started the second half with intent, and their efforts were rewarded just four minutes after the restart. Dōan, making his 100th appearance for the club, doubled the lead with a well-taken finish. However, Gladbach refused to give up, and Tim Kleindienst pulled a goal back in the 61st minute, heading home from close range. Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as Höler struck again just two minutes later, restoring Freiburg's two-goal cushion and effectively sealing the victory.
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Freiburg's dominance shines through
Despite relatively even possession stats, Freiburg's superiority was evident in their attacking play. The hosts registered 18 shots compared to Gladbach's 15, with eight on target to the visitors' three. Gregoritsch was a constant threat for Freiburg, creating numerous chances for his teammates. Gladbach's Moritz Nicolas was kept busy in goal, making several crucial saves to keep his side in the game.
Player of the Match: Lucas Höler
Höler was undoubtedly the star of the show, netting twice and providing an assist in a man-of-the-match performance. His first goal came at a crucial time just before half-time, while his second effectively killed off Gladbach's hopes of a comeback. Höler's movement, link-up play, and clinical finishing were instrumental in Freiburg's victory. The brace took his tally to six goals against Gladbach, making them his favourite Bundesliga opponents.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Freiburg 1.98 - Gladbach 1.46
Fastest player: Merlin Röhl (Freiburg), 34.03 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-0 by Ritsu Dōan (Freiburg), 4 percent
Most pressed player: Alassane Pléa (Gladbach), 21 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Merlin Röhl (Freiburg), +2.42
Fantasy Heroes: Lucas Höler (Freiburg, 399 Points), Ritsu Dōan (Freiburg, 274 Points), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg, 211 Points)
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