This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
On Saturday, May 16, 2020, the Bundesliga resumed its season after a coronavirus-induced suspension, with RB Leipzig facing off against Freiburg. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, dealing a significant blow to Leipzig's dwindling title hopes.
Leipzig, currently third in the Bundesliga standings, trailed league leaders Bayern Munich by four points. The reigning champions were set to visit Union Berlin on Sunday, May 17, 2020. The draw would have been even more disappointing if Freiburg midfielder Robin Koch's late goal had not been ruled out by VAR.
Leipzig's title dreams had begun to slip away before the lockdown, with back-to-back draws against Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg in March having seen them fall five points off the pace.
As the match got underway, players and coaches on the bench wore protective masks in compliance with the stringent safety guidelines implemented to allow the Bundesliga to resume.
Leipzig started brightly at the eerily quiet Red Bull Arena, with Timo Werner and Nordi Mukiele both coming close to opening the scoring in the first half hour.
However, Freiburg claimed a surprise lead 12 minutes before halftime as Vincenzo Grifo's low corner was diverted in by centre-back Manuel Gulde.
Leipzig continued to dominate possession in the second period, wasting a golden chance in the 57th minute when Ademola Lookman volleyed wide from a position where he was totally unmarked just yards from goal.
Freiburg's goalkeeper, Alexander Schwolow, was called upon to make a brilliant save to deny Werner a 28th goal of the season.
Leipzig gave themselves fresh hope of turning the game around in the 77th minute, though, as Yussuf Poulsen headed past Schwolow.
However, the home side failed to carve out another clear-cut opportunity, and it was Freiburg who thought they had snatched a dramatic injury-time victory, only for Koch's close-range finish to be ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
