Bundesliga Player Ratings | Freiburg’s Champions League Hopes Burned by Union Berlin Comeback | OneFootball

Union Berlin moved ten points clear of the automatic Bundesliga relegation places and dented SC Freiburg’s Champions League hopes with an impressive 2-1 away win.

Freiburg took the lead in the 29th minute through Lucas Holer, but Union hit back immediately with Rani Khedira. Serbian, Andrej Ilic completed the comeback and sealed a vital three points for die Eisernen in their bid for Bundesliga safety.

Story of the Match

Freiburg had lost at home just twice all season and were unbeaten since January. The hosts were firm favourites against an Union side that had scored just 23 goals all season.

On paper, it was a mismatch, with Freiburg hoping for a win to move them level with Mainz in the fourth Champions League spot.

Union Berlin were desperate for only their third win since October.

Both sides enjoyed early chances but Freiburg broke the deadlock.

Vincenzo Grifo’s deep cross to the back post picked out Lucas Höler, who made no mistake with the finish.

Fewer than 60 seconds later, Union were level.

Hollerbach was buzzing around the Freiburg defence and eventually forced a mistake.

The bouncing ball fell to Rani Khedira on the edge of the box, who drilled his effort from 18 yards into the bottom right-hand corner.

After half-time, Union flew out of the traps.

In the 48th minute, substitute Tim Skarke’s deep cross picked out Andrej Ilić.

The Serbian made no mistake from six yards with a simple header to make it 2-1.

Freiburg pushed for an equaliser.

The best chance fell to Vincenzo Grigo but he could not find a way past Frederik Rønnow as his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Union had chances of their own but did enough for a crucial three points.

Freiburg Ratings

Atubolu N. (G) (6); Sildillia K. (5); Ginter M. (5); Lienhart P. (5); Gunter C. (6); Eggestein M. (5); Osterhage P. (5); Doan R. (5); Holer L. (6); Grifo V. (5); Gregoritsch M. (5)Dinkci E. (5); Muller F. (G) (5); Beste J. (5); Kubler L. (5); Manzambi J. (5)

Union Berlin Ratings

Ronnow F. (G) (8); Doekhi D. (8); Querfeld L. (8); Leite D. (7); Trimmel C. (C) (8); Haberer J. (8); Khedira R. (8); Juranovic J. (8); Jeong Woo-Yeong (7); Ilic A. (9)

karke T. (8); Schafer A. (8); Benes L. (6); Ljubicic M. (6); Tousart L. (6)

Player of the Match: Andrej Ilic

For 85 minutes, Andrej Ilic was at his energetic best.

The Serbian Forward was often isolated up-front as Union Berlin absorbed pressure, but his workrate and hold up play provided relief and impetus for attack.

Ilic won five aerial duels and a pass accuracy of 72% to take some of the pressure of his defence.

His calmed header in the 48th minute capped a superb team performance.

In truth, there were many stand-out performances, including Khedira, Juranovic, Trimmel, Hollerbach, and Rönnow.

Union showed the form that took them to the Champions League and will be hopeful that they can continue to finish the season on a high.

The defeat leaves Freiburg now three points behind fourth-placed FSV Mainz.

Union are now eight points clear of 16th-placed Heidenheim in the relegation play-off spot and look to have secured their Bundesliga status for another season.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara