Arnold’s red card was the fourth of his career. – IMAGO/Arne Amberg

Early red card shifts the balance

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. – Images / Trend 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.

Although an entertaining game, chances were few and far between. – Images / Trend Steinsiek

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 Facts
xGoals: Wolfsburg 0.39 – Freiburg 1.56
Fastest player: Kilian Fischer (Wolfsburg), 34.86 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Max Rosenfelder (Freiburg), 5.54 percent
Most pressed player: Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg), 19 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Ritsu Dōan (Freiburg), +2.83