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Four years after their last final appearance in the DFB-Pokal, SC Freiburg can dream of repeating the feat this season. However, the Bundesliga side endured a real challenge in the quarter-final away to second-division Hertha BSC, claiming a narrow victory after edging out their hosts 5-4 in a penalty shootout. After a goalless 90 minutes, the score eventually sat at 1-1 after extra time.

Freiburg’s cup goalkeeper Florian Müller became the hero of the day when he saved a poorly placed spot-kick from Freiburg’s sixth taker Pascal Klemens. He had previously denied Michael Cuisance as well. Hertha keeper Tjark Ernst had only managed to save Johan Manzambi’s attempt. For the Old Lady, meanwhile, the dream of a first domestic final at the Olympiastadion was once again cut short prematurely.

In a fiercely contested match in front of 55,000 supporters, Freiburg’s Yuito Suzuki had finally broken the deadlock in extra time following a misplaced Hertha pass back to the goalkeeper (96’). Just before the extra-time break, however, a superb long-range strike from Fabian Reese from just over 20 yards out brought Hertha back level (104’), and the hosts looked the more likely winner in the remainder of the game.

Reese goal ruled out

A speculative effort from around 30 yards by eventual goalscorer Suzuki, which flew about half a metre over the Hertha goal, set the tone for a lively start (3’). At the other end, Marten Winkler headed just wide from close range (4’). Three minutes later, the ball did hit the back of the Freiburg net when Fabian Reese reacted the quickest to turn in a rebound after a save by Florian Müller (7’). However, the goal was disallowed following a VAR review due to an offside in the build-up.

Hertha, despite being the lower-tier side on the day, continued to play without fear and caused problems with quick counter-attacks, while Freiburg tried to play a composed and structured game. That almost paid off when former BSC player Derry Scherhant, with his back to goal, turned and shot from seven yards, only to be denied by an excellent save from Tjark Ernst (20’).

Freiburg gradually grew more dominant, but Hertha defended compactly, reducing clear-cut chances at both ends. Shortly before half-time, however, both sides threatened yet again. Scherhant fired narrowly wide from 13 metres (40’), then Michael Cuisance missed by a whisker from a tight angle (43’) before Müller made a fine save from a header by Linus Gechter (44’). Just before the break, after a slip by Toni Leistner, Freiburg nearly took the lead on the counter, but Ernst again saved brilliantly against Suzuki (45+2’).

Little risk late on

After the restart, there was again no clear indicator of a division’s difference between the sides, with both teams creating minor chances. Freiburg gradually regained more control but never fully got a grip on Hertha’s threatening counter-attacks. After a clever ball win by Suzuki, substitute Vincenzo Grifo had a great opportunity to give Freiburg the lead, but he failed to strike cleanly from 12 metres and Ernst was able to clear (69’).

With extra time looming, both sides became more cautious in the closing stages to avoid a potentially decisive mistake. There were chances for a late winner, including a curled effort from Grifo from the edge of the box (89’) and a free kick from 18 yards in stoppage time (90+4’), but neither team managed to create a truly clear-cut opportunity.

Both goals in extra time

The game restarted for the first half of extra time, with Hertha initially looking closer to scoring. Müller just managed to tip a powerful effort from Cuisance around the far post (94’). Moments later, Freiburg struck: a fatal mistake in Hertha’s build-up play saw a poor pass back from Gechter find itself right at the feet of Suzuki, and the Japan international rounded the goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead (96’). Hertha responded with the necessary determination and equalised in spectacular fashion before the interval of extra time: Fabian Reese’s perfectly placed shot from just over 20 yards out left Müller with no chance (104’).

In the second half of extra time, the hosts piled on the pressure and almost completed a turnaround when substitute Luca Schuler connected cleanly from close range, but his shot went narrowly wide (109’).

The match ultimately went to penalties, where Freiburg held their nerve to book their place in the semi-finals, with Müller’s shoot-out save against Pascal Klemens ultimately the only thing able to separate the sides after an action-packed, evenly-fought DFB-Pokal thriller.