SC Freiburg vs Bayer Leverkusen preveiw - Freiburg motivated for first win

Posted Friday, September 26, 2014 by PA

Freiburg are hoping it will be a case of third time lucky when they host Bayer Leverkusen this Saturday.

Twice this week they have conceded a goal with practically the last kick of the game to be denied wins against Hertha Berlin and Hoffenheim.

Twice they have left the field in a state of shock having been so close to their first win of the season.

Twice they have had to settle for a draw in controversial circumstances, but now they want to change that.

"It would just be nice if we could hold on to win a game that we lead with just a few seconds remaining," said coach Christian Streich.

"We've just got to win one game to prove that we are worthy of our place in the Bundesliga."

For that to happen, Streich is also hoping not to be put at a disadvantage by the referees, something he hinted had been the case in their last two outings.

"I've said often enough that I would not like to be a referee," Streich said. "They probably have the most difficult job, but I care about the decisions which are not actually difficult."

Such as the decision to send Vladimir Darida off while Freiburg were leading 3-2 against Hoffenheim, when his attempted overhead kick clearance saw him strike his opponent in the face.

"That had consequences on the game and it makes you speechless," Streich said. "A red card like that should really be rescinded."

It was not, though, and Darida has been banned for two games, starting with Saturday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen, who are not taking their trip to the Dreisamstadion lightly.

"Freiburg must not be judged on their results alone," said their coach Roger Schmidt at a press conference.

"They could have won both of their last two games. Those tight results are going to make them even more motivated, so that makes it a difficult task for us."