Freiburg women hosted Bayer Leverkusen women in the fifth round of the Bundesliga on Sunday, losing 1-2 at the Draisestadion. Cornelia Kramer opened the scoring with an own goal in the ninth minute before adding a penalty in the 56th. Estrella Merino Gonzalez then struck in the 90th minute to secure all three points for the visitors.
Freiburg had the early advantage through Kramer's own effort, but Leverkusen responded with greater efficiency. By then the visitors had already shown they could punish their hosts from a corner, though they failed to create any big chances all game. The penalty proved decisive, with Kramer converting from the spot after a foul in the box.
Both sides made several changes during the match, with Freiburg bringing on Maj Schneider and Vanessa Fudalla at half-time. Leverkusen switched tactics after the break, though the exact formation change remains unclear from the available data. The visitors took more corners—nine to six—and attempted slightly more shots, but neither side could convert their dominance into clear opportunities.
The statistics tell an interesting story. Freiburg held 52 per cent possession and recorded 79 attacks compared to Leverkusen's 80, yet the visitors finished with a higher shot accuracy of 38 per cent against 21 per cent. Both teams created zero big chances, and the match was decided by moments rather than sustained pressure. Leverkusen's goalkeeper made five saves to Freiburg's four, keeping her side ahead when it mattered.
And here's the thing about this result: Freiburg move up to seventh place with seven points from five games, while Leverkusen drop to ninth with six points. The gap between them narrows, and both sides have shown they can score but also remain vulnerable defensively. It was a match where three or four moments decided the outcome, with the rest merely providing the background.