Freiburg rises to the top

Freiburg topped the Bundesliga table on goal difference ahead of Borussia Dortmund after their 2-1 victory over visitors Schalke on Thursday in Matchday 5, despite finishing the match with ten men. Freiburg’s tally rose to 13 points from a possible 15, putting them ahead of Dortmund on goal difference after the latter drew 2-2 with visitors Werder Bremen on Friday, and two points clear of defending champions Bayern Munich, who also fell into a draw against Augsburg on Saturday (2-2). Julian Schuster’s side took an early lead through Maximilian Eggestein in the 10th minute, before Schalke equalized via Swiss striker Adrian Gantenbein in the 31st. In the second half, Japanese midfielder Yuito Suzuki received a second yellow card in the 64th minute, resulting in his sending-off and depriving Freiburg of his services. However, his compatriot, substitute Keisuke Goto, snatched the winning goal in the 85th minute with a header, putting his team at the summit. Schalke, who returned to the top flight this season, suffered their second defeat, leaving them on five points in 13th place.