BERLIN: Substitute Keisuke Goto struck late as ten-man Freiburg defeated Schalke 04 2-1 to move top of the Bundesliga after five rounds, edging Borussia Dortmund on goal difference.
Julian Schuster's side made a commanding start and took the lead after ten minutes. Matthias Ginter met a corner with a header that goalkeeper Loris Karius saved, but Maximilian Eggestein reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
Freiburg continued to dominate possession, with Igor Matanovic threatening to double the advantage before Hasan Kurucay blocked his effort in the 18th minute.
Schalke gradually settled and equalized against the run of play. Adrian Gantenbein struck following a corner, with his shot deflecting off Kenan Karaman to beat goalkeeper Backhaus in the 30th minute.
The visitors improved after the interval. Moussa Sylla threatened in the 59th minute before Matanovic cleared Maximilian Wober's header against his own crossbar moments later.
Freiburg was reduced to ten men when Yuito Suzuki received a second yellow card for fouling Soufiane El-Faouzi in the 64th minute.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the hosts remained dangerous and eventually found a winner through two substitutes. Vincenzo Grifo delivered a precise cross that Goto headed home in the 85th minute.
"We are delighted with the victory and being top of the table, but it's still early in the season," Ginter said. "We controlled the first half well, created chances and managed to play through Schalke's pressing. Going into halftime at 1-1 was frustrating. Schalke were better in the second half and had their opportunities."
The victory leaves Freiburg unbeaten with 13 points from five matches, ahead of second-placed Dortmund on goal difference. Bayern Munich sits third with 11 points, followed by Bayer Leverkusen on ten.
Freiburg, who previously led the standings at this stage in 2022-23, next face Jablonec in the Conference League before visiting Leverkusen. Schalke remains 13th with five points ahead of a home fixture against Mainz.
Elsewhere, Cologne defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 in the Rhine derby. Isak Johannesson opened the scoring in the 26th minute before James Scally equalized in the 39th, while Said El Mala restored Cologne's lead in the 66th minute. The victory lifted Cologne to tenth with seven points, while Gladbach remains bottom without a point after five consecutive defeats.