Freiburg go second after narrow wet and wild win over Bochum

Berlin (AFP) – Freiburg continued their impressive start to the Bundesliga season, defeating a dogged Bochum 1-0 at home on Friday. 

In a game played in wet and wild conditions, Freiburg’s Italian midfielder Vincenzo Grifo scored the only goal of the game when he headed in his own saved penalty, which had been saved two times by Bochum keeper Manuel Reimann. 

Neither team convinced in a first half played in torrential rain, with players struggling to gain rhythm as puddles grew across the field. 

Freiburg had the better of the chances but were kept at bay by an acrobatic Riemann and at the end of the opening half it looked as if the teams may play out a goalless draw for the first time in 16 Bundesliga meetings. 

Reimann, who conceded seven at home against Bayern Munich just five days ago, was Bochum’s best on the night and was unlucky to give away the penalty just a minute into the second half. 

Reimann tussled with Freiburg’s Roland Sallai and was adjudged to have grabbed the Hungarian winger’s shirt. 

After a brief VAR check on a rain-soaked monitor, the referee pointed to the spot. 

Bochum, who are still yet to claim a point after four games this season, went close to equalising in the 85th minute through Filipino winger Gerrit Holtmann, but the shot hit the post and was cleared by the home defence. 

Freiburg now sit second on goal difference, with the remainder of the weekend’s fixtures to come. By contrast, Bochum are last. 

On Saturday, Bayern Munich can stretch their place on top of the table with a win at home against Borussia Moenchengladbach. 

Also on Saturday, Borussia Dortmund will look to get their season back on track away at Hertha Berlin.