# FC Augsburg Draw 1-1 with SC Freiburg as Gregoritsch Scores, Freiburg's Substitute Defender Saves the Day
In a thrilling Bundesliga encounter, FC Augsburg and SC Freiburg shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw on Saturday. The match, held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Augsburg, saw both teams fight hard for a decisive victory, but neither could break the deadlock.
The game started with high intensity, and it was Augsburg who struck first. Forward Kevin Gregoritsch, who once played for Freiburg, capitalized on a defensive error to slot home a goal in the 15th minute. The goal gave the home side the early lead, and they continued to pressurize their opponents. However, Freiburg responded well and refused to let the deficit discourage them.
Freiburg's equalizer came in the 57th minute through debutant Jonas Hector, who joined Freiburg on loan from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this season. Hector, who missed the initial squad due to a minor injury, made a vital contribution when he fired a powerful shot past Augsburg goalkeeper Tomáš Kozický. The goal sent the traveling fans into raptures and brought the game level.
But Freiburg's substitute defender, who came on in the 78th minute, truly stole the show. With the clock ticking down and Augsburg pushing for a winner, the substitute made a crucial intervention. He perfectly timed a tackle to prevent a clear chance on goal and then blocked another effort from close range. His heroics kept Freiburg in the game and ensured they left with a point.
The final minutes were nail-biting, with both teams creating chances. Augsburg's best opportunity came when Freiburg's goalkeeper was beaten by a shot from outside the box, but the defender was there to clear the danger. The referee blew the whistle for full time, and both teams shook hands, sharing the spoils.
Speaking after the match, Freiburg's head coach Christian Heise said: "We showed a lot of character today. The substitute defender was incredible. We could have easily fallen behind, but we dug deep and got a draw. It's a good point, especially with the next few games in mind."
For Augsburg, coach Manuel Veth admitted: "We created several chances but didn't take them. Freiburg's substitute defender was vital. It's a point we could have easily lost, but we'll learn from this and move on."
The draw keeps both teams in the hunt at the bottom of the Bundesliga table, with Augsburg and Freiburg aiming to build on their performances in the coming weeks. Fans of both clubs will be excited for the next fixtures, as the battle for survival continues.