Gladbach came into the game off the back of a 10-2 aggregate Europa League playoff round victory while Freiburg came into the fixture after a 1-0 defeat last weekend.

Gladbach started the game in front of a 24,000 strong full capacity Mage Solar Stadion. Hahn lofted one into the box and the ball was met by the head of Hrgota who headed straight at Burki.

Schmid picked the ball up in the midfield and tried to go it alone but was stopped at the edge of the box by a fine tackle. The book was first out on nine minutes when Freiburg new boy Schahin was booked for a reckless challenge on Kramer.

The majority of the opening ten was played in the midfield and Hrgota's header remained the only real chance. Xhaka unleashed a venomous striker from outside the box after the ball pinballed around the box to him but Burki was able to tip over.

Kramer elegantly dinked one over the Freiburg defence but Burki reached it before the intended Hrgota and sent it back up field. After twenty minutes it was very much the visitors game but chances were as common as hens teeth.

At first glance Xhaka looked to have won a 50/50 fair and square but he was lucky to not be booked as later replays showed him to get the player first. Hahn stormed down the right and Raffael the middle but the wingers cut back was poor and mopped up by the hosts defence.

Freiburg finally got a shot away after the half hour mark with thanks to defender Günter. The volley from afar caused no problem whatsoever for die Fohlen keeper Yann Sommer. They soon followed up with their second chance but Günter again was unable to cause any problems, this time with a header.

Traore cut in from right to left and shot low and hard but Burki got down well and smothered the ball. Günter delivered dangerously but Jantschke done enough to put off Schahin.

Gladbach were the better of the sides at the half, however Freiburg were beginning to come out their shell a little more.

Both sides re-emerged unchanged and Freiburg got the second period rolling. Within minutes they came agonisingly close after Klaus hit it into a crowded box before Krmas eventually got a shot away and sent it across goal and out of play.

Gladbach came similarly close up the other end but Freiburg were undoubtedly the closer to scoring. Schmid latched onto a long ball and volleyed first time towards the near post and failed to beat Sommer who saved strongly.

Schmid went down under the challenge of Wendt and his teammates, the home support and himself were all calling for a penalty. Referee Peter Gagelmann was having none of it and waved play on. 

Freiburg were awarded a penalty on the hour mark as Jantschke brought substitute Philipp down in the area. Mehmedi stepped up but was left with his head in his hands as he fired the penalty miles over. 

Gladbach had the ball in the net up the other end from a corner but they were whistled up for a foul within the box and the goal was subsequently disallowed.

Traore similarly to earlier in the game cut in from right to left but this time his shot failed to come close to the target. Schmid hit the ball diagonally across the field and Philipp met the ball on the volley and found the side netting. 

Freiburg continued to press late into the game but were unable to create any clear cut chances, before Gagelmann called time on the feisty encounter.