Dōan the difference as Freiburg defeat Darmstadt

Sunday’s Bundesliga action kicked off with SC Freiburg travelling to SV Darmstadt. Christian Streich’s men pulled through 1-0 thanks to Ritsu Dōan’s match winning goal.

This game had few chances in the opening quarter as both sides got a feel for eachother. Aaron Seydel went closest for the hosts after some nifty work from Vilhelmsson down the right flank, but to no avail. Atubolu unphased between the sticks for Freiburg.

The Breisgauers forged the breakthrough with one of their first significant attacks in the 36th minute. It came courtesy of Freiburg’s Japanese international Ritsu Dōan, who played a sublime one-two with Michael Gregoritsch to guide past Schuhen with ease. 

During the interval Vincenzo Grifo made way for youngster Merlin Röhl in attack. Once again it was the Swede featuring for the hosts as Vilhelmsson almost restored parity early in the second-half. His hooked shot defelected to Seydel; teeing up Tobias Kempe in the process. The veteran German could only flash his effort wide from seven metres out. 

Substitutions rolled on for both sides as the game trickled towards the last quarter. Roland Sallai’s final interaction was a cross for Keitel who cleared Schuhen’s crossbar. Jordy Makengo’s opportunity in the 78th minute remained the pick of the late chances, however the young full-back skied his strike. A final cross-come-shot from Matthias Honsak passed both Seydel and the goal by a foot. A microcosm of Darmstadt’s misfortunes this season.