At Bremer Brücke, the big surprise failed to materialise – although it was within reach. VfL Osnabrück forced extra time against Freiburg with a last-minute goal and even took the lead in it, only to experience for themselves what it’s like to concede a late equaliser. Freiburg celebrated their progress in the end thanks to goalkeeper Uphoff.
Osnabrück coach Daniel Scherning relied on the same eleven as in the draw against Halleschen FC, while Freiburg coach Christian Streich brought in four new players in an attempt to take SC past the second round of the cup for the first time since 2017/18. Flekken (goal), Gulde and Jeong found themselves on the bench compared to the 2-0 loss at VfL Wolfsburg. Uphoff (goal), Keven Schlotterbeck and Demirovic were on the pitch for the kick-off, and Höfler pulled out of the warm-up with muscular problems, so that Haberer unexpectedly came on after all.
From a sporting point of view, the match at Bremer Brücker was an intense game between two teams who clearly wanted to reach the last 16 and who gave each other nothing in the duels. The visitors started unexpectedly defensively, initially operating from deep and lurking a little on the counter-attack.
But there were no counterattacks, also because VfL was well organised and present in the duels. Offensively, the third division team did not succeed much, despite their efforts, at the latest at the opponent’s sixteen.
Freiburg dogged by injury
The Breisgau side had the more mature play and repeatedly showed their technical ability. However, SC avoided taking risks, which is why there was a lack of goal-scoring opportunities. Only Höler’s shot, just blocked by Trapp, provided some variety (22nd).
Lienhart was unlucky when he fell on his face during a duel and had to leave with pain shortly afterwards. Streich brought on Gulde (27th), whose rest period came to a quick end. On the pitch, it remained a game without any clear goal-scoring chances, but it did not go into the break goalless.
Goalkeepers in focus
The reason: a momentous excursion by Osnabrück goalkeeper Kühn, who was too late against Höler when trying to clear outside his penalty area. Höler, in turn, had an eye for Grifo, who flicked a beautiful shot into the empty goal from the left wing – 1:0 (33.).
SC goalkeeper Uphoff prevented the immediate equaliser with a brilliant save against Heider (35th). The purple-whites didn’t mind, they didn’t give up and courageously pushed for the equaliser. But because Traoré only hit the outside of the net (38th) and Nico Schlotterbeck headed just over the goal on the opposite side (45.+2), the half-time score remained 1-0.
Late luck for Osnabrück
Half two was not quite as exciting for a long time. Osnabrück made an effort, but hardly developed any real penetrating power. Freiburg, on the other hand, were well-positioned and, despite an increasingly heated atmosphere, did not let anything go amiss and thought they were in a safe haven. But the Lower Saxons tried it with the crowbar, Simakala (77.) and Heider (78., 90.+2) had no luck at first.
Not so substitute Gugganig, who in the 97th minute (referee Robert Schröder had actually only allowed five minutes of added time) converted a Kleinhansl corner to make it 1-1 and force extra time. The game was lively in extra time, partly because the Freiburg team invested more in the forward line. However, the Lower Saxons had the better chances through Gugganig (93rd) and Wooten (101st).
Schlotterbeck can also do it late
In the 108th minute, Schade finally lost the ball in the opponent’s sixteen and was thus the starting point for a momentous VfL counter: Köhler sent Klaas, who ran halfway across the field and then beat Uphoff with a rich 18-metre shot. The Bremer Brücke was upside down – and SC suddenly faced cup elimination.
The Breisgau side fought back and, after Simakala was shown the yellow card for time play (117th minute), were allowed to finish the game outnumbered – and then struck again: Höler’s cross from the right corner of the penalty area landed with Keven Schlotterbeck, who headed home to make it 2-2 and force a penalty shoot-out (120th minute).
Three penalties saved: Uphoff tops Kühn
In this one, the goalkeepers came to the fore: Osnabrück’s Kühn not only stood out with spiralling saves, for which he even saw yellow, but also with two saved penalties against Höler and Jeong. But because his Freiburg counterpart Uphoff saved against Kleinhansl, Itter and Wooten, he was the hero of the evening in the end – and Freiburg one round further.
Before the draw for the DFB Cup round of sixteen is made next Sunday, Freiburg have to play in the league again. On Saturday (3.30 p.m.), they face the still winless SpVgg Greuther Fürth at home. Osnabrück, meanwhile, will not play until Monday (7 p.m.) at SC Verl.
