Resilient Freiburg hand Borussia Dortmund shock 2-1 defeat

Borussia Dortmund were given a reality check on Saturday, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to SC Freiburg on matchday two of the Bundesliga season. 

Goals from Vincenzo Grifo and Roland Sallai gave Freiburg a well deserved two goal lead, before an own goal from Yannik Keitel allowed Borussia Dortmund to halve the deficit. But the Black and Yellows weren’t able to find an equaliser and suffered their second defeat of the week.

Marco Rose made just one change to the team that lost to Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup on Tuesday. Donyell Malen came into the starting XI in place of Youssoufa Moukoko to make his first start for Borussia Dortmund. He joined Erling Haaland and Marco Reus in the BVB attack, with Gio Reyna, Jude Bellingham and Mahmoud Dahoud providing the creativity from midfield.

But it was Freiburg who struck the first blow. Buoyed by the rapturous home crowd of 10,000 supporters, Freiburg took the lead in the sixth minute through Vincenzo Grifo. The 28 year old curled home a stunning free-kick from 30 yards out, leaving Gregor Kobel with absolutely no chance.

The goal gave Freiburg the chance to sit back and defend their lead. And they frustrated Borussia Dortmund for the majority of the first half. The Black and Yellows had their chances, with Jude Bellingham forcing a save and hitting the post. But they weren’t able to capitalise. And Freiburg went into the break with a well deserved 1-0 lead.

Any hopes of a Borussia Dortmund comeback suffered a major blow eight minutes into the start of the second half. Roland Sallai made it 2-0 for Freiburg at the end of an impressive counter-attacking move.

Borussia Dortmund responded well and managed to pull a goal back at the hour mark. Jude Bellingham forced an own goal from Yannik Keitel to give Marco Rose’s side a lifeline. But BVB never really came close to finding an equaliser, and Freiburg were able to hold them off quite comfortably in the end.

The defeat is a big reality check for Borussia Dortmund, and shows that there is plenty of work to be done if Marco Rose’s side are to challenge for the Bundesliga title this season. Next up for BVB is a home game against TSG Hoffenheim on Friday.