SC Freiburg 0 : 0 Bayer Leverkusen - Ten-man Bayer deny Freiburg

Posted Sunday, September 28, 2014 by PA

Freiburg were left still waiting for their first win of the season after being held to a goalless draw by Bayer Leverkusen, who had to play for an hour with only 10 men.

Emir Spahic was given his marching orders for a second yellow card in the 28th minute but Freiburg were unable to make the most of their extra man.

They also ended the game with 10 men, with Pavel Krmas dismissed just over 10 minutes from time, and it was Leverkusen who will feel hardest done by after failing to pick up maximum points.

Freiburg have had plenty to complain about in recent games with controversial equalisers conceded deep in stoppage time twice in a week, depriving them each time of a maiden win this season.

They would have had little complaint about the refereeing at the Dreisamstadion on Saturday, though, with plenty of yellow cards shown to the visitors and a red brandished to Spahic just short of the half-hour mark.

That went some way to evening things up after Freiburg lost Vladimir Darida to a red card in midweek - but having an extra man for an hour was one thing, taking full advantage was another.

Leverkusen reorganised, although Felix Klaus still got into a good position with the goal at his mercy in the 37th minute only to miss the target completely.

Even with a man less, Leverkusen sought their chances and Stefan Kiessling nearly put them in front early in the second half with a header which Roman Burki turned round his post.

Hakan Calhanoglu tried to lob the Freiburg goalkeeper from near the halfway line but sent the ball onto the roof of the net as Leverkusen made it look like it was they who had the extra man.

Parity of numbers was then established with Krmas received his marching orders for a second yellow card after fouling Lars Bender.

Leverkusen now had the psychological advantage for the final 10 minutes, with Freiburg sensing deja vu.

Karim Bellarabi sent a shot against the underside of the crossbar with Son Heung-min also hitting the bar as Leverkusen tried in vain to take away all three points.