Rosenfelder strike downs 10-man Wolfsburg | OneFootball

Freiburg hold on against 10-man Wolfsburg in Champions League hunt

Max Rosenfelder scored his first Bundesliga goal as Freiburg secured a 1-0 win against 10-man Wolfsburg, strengthening their push for European football next season.

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Wolfsburg 0-1 FreiburgGoals: 0-1 Rosenfelder 49’Red card: Arnold 26’

The clash between Wolfsburg and Freiburg at the Volkswagen Arena carried significant weight for both sides' European aspirations. Freiburg entered the match on the back of two consecutive wins, looking to solidify their position in the top five. Wolfsburg, meanwhile, were eager to end a six-game winless streak at home and reignite their own European hopes.

Arnold's red card was the fourth of his career. (IMAGO/Arne Amberg)

Early red card shifts the balance

The match began with both sides showing promise. Patrick Wimmer tested Florian Müller with an early shot before Junior Adamu squandered a golden opportunity in the 20th minute, firing wide when through on goal. However, the game's complexion changed dramatically in the 26th minute when Wolfsburg captain Maximilian Arnold received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Junior Adamu. This dismissal forced the hosts to reshape their strategy and gave Freiburg a numerical advantage for over an hour.

Rosenfelder opened the scoring with a cultured left foot finish. (IMAGO/Darius Simka)

Missed chances and half-time stalemate

Despite the man advantage, Freiburg struggled to capitalise immediately. Vincenzo Grifo came close, forcing a save from Kamil Grabara in the 36th minute, but Wolfsburg, to their credit, defended resolutely, ensuring the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

The win puts Freiburg into real contention for the Champions League places. (IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK)

Rosenfelder breaks the deadlock

Freiburg's persistence finally paid off four minutes into the second half. Max Rosenfelder, making only his tenth Bundesliga start, etched his name into the scoresheet with a well-taken goal. The 21-year-old midfielder's strike saw him curl the ball into the top corner from 15 meters out, leaving Grabara with no chance. It was Rosenfelder's first Bundesliga goal and proved to be the decisive moment of the match.

Wolfsburg's valiant effort falls short

To their credit, Wolfsburg didn't capitulate after falling behind. Ralph Hasenhüttl's men showed resilience and attempted to find an equaliser. Wimmer continued to pose a threat, while substitutes Yannick Gerhardt and Jakub Kamiński injected fresh energy into the Wolves' attack. However, Freiburg's resolute defence, marshalled by Matthias Ginter and Philipp Lienhart, stood firm against the hosts' advances. Despite Wolfsburg's efforts, they couldn't muster a shot on target in the second half and in the end, the visitors held on with relative ease.

Player of the Match: Max Rosenfelder

Rosenfelder emerged as the hero for Freiburg, scoring his first Bundesliga goal at a crucial juncture. Beyond his match-winning strike, the young midfielder showcased his all-round abilities throughout the game. Rosenfelder's performance was characterised by his tireless work rate, completing numerous successful passes and winning several key duels. His goal, a well-taken finish from inside the box, demonstrated both his composure and attacking instincts, proving pivotal in securing three valuable points for his team.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Wolfsburg 0.39 - Freiburg 1.56Fastest player: Kilian Fischer (Wolfsburg), 34.86 km/hLowest goal probability: 0-1 by Max Rosenfelder (Freiburg), 5.54 percentMost pressed player: Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg), 19 times under pressurePass efficiency: Ritsu Dōan (Freiburg), +2.83

Fantasy Heroes: Max Rosenfelder (Freiburg, 333 Points), Konstantinos Koulierakis (Wolfsburg, 288 Points), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg, 181 Points)

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