Ten-Man Freiburg Beat Schalke 2-1 With Late Gotō Header to Go Top of Bundesliga

SC Freiburg beat Schalke 04 2-1 at the Europa-Park Stadion on Sunday, October 11, to go top of the Bundesliga. They did it despite playing the last 26 minutes with ten men, thanks to a late header from substitute Keisuke Gotō.

Freiburg took the lead in the 10th minute through Maximilian Eggestein. Schalke, who are back in the Bundesliga after three years away, equalised from a set piece before half-time. The hosts' afternoon then got harder in the 64th minute. Yuito Suzuki was shown a second yellow card for a foul on El-Faouzi, and was sent off.

Schalke had more than 25 minutes against ten men and brought on veteran striker Edin Džeko, but they could not find a way through. Freiburg kept breaking forward and the winner came five minutes from time. Two substitutes combined, as Vincenzo Grifo delivered the cross and Gotō powered a header past Loris Karius in the 85th minute.

The win gives Freiburg 13 points from five games, their best start in club history, and they remain unbeaten. They lead Borussia Dortmund on goal difference after Dortmund drew 2-2 at Werder Bremen on Friday. It was also Freiburg's third home win of the season.

Coach Julian Schuster said his side did not play a top-class game after the red card, but praised their fighting spirit. Defender Matthias Ginter admitted that being top felt a little strange so early in the season.