BERLIN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Lukas Kubler's brace saw Freiburg come from behind to beat last season's runners-up Stuttgart 3-1 in the Southern derby on Saturday.
Stuttgart made a perfect start when new signing Ermedin Demirovic opened the scoring with a side-foot scissor kick after just one minute.
It took Freiburg some time to recover, but they restored parity in the 26th minute when Kubler caught Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nubel flat-footed.
Two minutes later, the home side almost grabbed the lead, but Vincenzo Grifo's shot went just wide.
Freiburg gained momentum and were rewarded for their efforts in the 54th minute when Ritsu Doan poked home Christian Gunter's cross to make it 2-1.
Stuttgart couldn't put up any resistance, but Freiburg were not done scoring and made it three on the hour when Kubler completed his first-ever Bundesliga brace with a header from a corner.
The Breisgauer remained on the front foot and had chances to expand their lead, but Roland Sallai's curling effort went just wide of the crossbar in the 74th minute.
Stuttgart showed signs of life 14 minutes later when Anrie Chase fired dangerously wide.
"We didn't get off to a good start to the game, but we definitely expected things to be different. The reaction was all the more pleasing. We controlled the game and created chances. We are very happy about this derby win," said Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster.
"We are building something new and that takes time. Yet we want to win. That is our goal, that is our aspiration. That can sometimes be a little bumpy. Today was bumpy, with a result that we didn't want," said Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness.
In Saturday's other matches, Leipzig got their season off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over Bochum thanks to Antonio Nusa's goal.
Andrej Kramaric's hat-trick powered Hoffenheim to a 3-2 win over stubborn newcomers Holstein Kiel.
Werder Bremen held Augsburg to a 2-2 draw. Borussia Dortmund beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0, while Mainz shared the spoils with Union Berlin after a 1-1 draw. ■
Niklas Stark (top) of SV Werder Bremen vies for a header during during the first division of Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen in Augsburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Niklas Dorsch (front) of FC Augsburg vies with Senne Lynen of SV Werder Bremen during the first division of Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen in Augsburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Marco Friedl (R) of SV Werder Bremen communicates with Jeffrey Gouweleeuw of FC Augsburg during the first division of Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen in Augsburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Elvis Rexhbecaj (C) of FC Augsburg celebrates his goal with teammates during the first division of Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen in Augsburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Marvin Ducksch (R) of SV Werder Bremen shoots the ball during the first division of Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen in Augsburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Marco Friedl (L) of SV Werder Bremen vies with Samuel Essende of FC Augsburg during the first division of Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen in Augsburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Samuel Essende (L) of FC Augsburg vies with Anthony Jung of SV Werder Bremen during the first division of Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and SV Werder Bremen in Augsburg, Germany, Aug. 24, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
