Sitting in 11th place just seven weeks ago, Dortmund collected 22 of a possible 24 points in their last eight league matches, climbing up to fourth, past Freiburg, who lost 3-1 at home against Eintracht Frankfurt.  Dortmund, who had not been in the top four since the end of matchday three in September, got off to an excellent start against their already relegated opponents when Serhou Guirassy converted a third-minute penalty. 

Knowing they needed a big win to guarantee a top-four finish, Dortmund's hopes looked even rosier just six minutes later when Kiel's Carl Johansson saw red for a last-man foul.  Marcel Sabitzer added a second with a deflected low shot two minutes after halftime, and Felix Nmecha made it three when he scored from close range with 73 minutes gone.