Freiburg and Leverkusen in dramatic draw | OneFootball

Freiburg squander two-goal lead in Bayer Leverkusen draw

Bayer Leverkusen's distant title hopes were finally snuffed out at the Europa-Park Stadion, but Xabi Alonso's men will take pride having battled back from two-goals down against a Freiburg side who took fourth spot despite giving up a lead.

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Freiburg 2-2 Bayer LeverkusenGoals: 1-0 Eggestein 44‘, 2-0 Hincapié (og) 49‘, 2-1 Wirtz 82‘, 2-2 Tah 90+3‘

With Champions League qualification at stake for Freiburg, and Leverkusen looking to cement their second-place finish, the stage was set for an enthralling encounter. Julian Schuster's Freiburg side came into the match in fine form, having won their last three Bundesliga games, while Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen were unbeaten in their last 32 away matches.

The hosts were aggressive in their press, causing all sorts of problems for Leverkusen. (Daniel Kopatsch)

Freiburg's first-half dominance

The first half was a testament to Freiburg's recent form, as they took control of the game. Vincenzo Grifo tested Matěj Kovář with a powerful shot in the 17th minute, signalling the home side's intent. Patrick Osterhage was next to try his luck, forcing a save from Kovář in the 34th minute.

Maximilian Eggestein took the initiative and it paid off, smashing home the first goal of the game when neither side looked dangerous. (DFL/Getty Images/Simon Hofmann)

Eggestein's wonder strike

The deadlock was finally broken in spectacular fashion just before the break. Maximilian Eggestein unleashed a thunderous strike from distance, leaving Kovář with no chance as the ball nestled in the top corner.

Freiburg's second goal provided them with a cushion that Leverkusen didn't look like reducing at the time. (DFL/Getty Images/Simon Hofmann)

Freiburg double their advantage

The hosts picked up where they left off after the restart, doubling their lead in the 49th minute. A dangerous cross from Ritsu Dōan caused chaos in the Leverkusen box, with Piero Hincapié inadvertently turning the ball into his own net. Freiburg's two-goal cushion seemed to put them in control, as they continued to frustrate Leverkusen with their solid defensive shape.

It was an assured performance from Freiburg up until the closing stages. (DFL/Getty Images/Simon Hofmann)

Leverkusen's tactical changes

Recognising the need for a change, Alonso made a triple substitution in the 57th minute, bringing on Arthur, Exequiel Palacios, and Amine Adli. The changes seemed to inject new life into Leverkusen, who began to assert more control over possession. However, Freiburg remained dangerous on the counter-attack.

Leverkusen's late resurgence

As the match entered its final stages, Leverkusen's pressure finally paid off. In the 82nd minute, Florian Wirtz found space on the edge of the box and curled a precise shot into the bottom corner, giving the visitors a lifeline. The goal energised Leverkusen, who pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Tah's dramatic equaliser

With time running out, Leverkusen threw everything forward. Their efforts were rewarded in the third minute of stoppage time when Jonathan Tah rose highest to meet a cross from Nathan Adewale Temitayo Tella, powering a header past Florian Müller to level the scores. The late goal sparked wild celebrations among the Leverkusen players and bench, while Freiburg were left shell-shocked at the dramatic turn of events.

Player of the Match: Maximilian Eggestein

Despite the late collapse, Eggestein's performance stood out for Freiburg. His stunning goal set the tone for what should have been a memorable victory, and his tireless work in midfield was crucial in establishing Freiburg's dominance for large periods of the match. Eggestein's ability to dictate play and contribute defensively showcased his all-round midfield qualities, making him a deserving recipient of the Player of the Match accolade.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Freiburg 0.91 - Leverkusen 0.38Fastest player: Merlin Röhl (SCF), 34.31 km/hLowest goal probability: 1-0 by Eggestein (SCF), 1.76 percentMost pressed player: Wirtz (B04), 39 times under pressurePass efficiency: Alejandro Grimaldo (B04), +3.7

Fantasy Heroes: Tah (Bayer Leverkusen, 287 Points), Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen, 275 Points), Eggestein (Freiburg, 227 Points)

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