Freiburg kicked off their 2012-13 Bundesliga campaign with a 1-1 draw with Mainz at home on Saturday.
Visitors Mainz made the brighter start, with Nicolai Muller trying his luck from distance after 10 minutes.
Muller was the provider 15 minutes later when he released Andreas Ivanschitz, whose shot from the right side of six-yard box was blocked.
However, it was Freiburg who took the lead in the early minutes of the second half when Max Kruse slotted home after being sent through on goal by Karim Guede.
The home side, though, failed to build on that 49th-minute lead as they conceded a penalty in the 64th minute.
Julian Schuster's challenge on Muller saw the referee point to the spot, and Ivanschitz successfully converted the penalty.
Both sides had chances to add to their tally during the remainder of the match but failed, as the game at the Mage Solar Stadion ended in a 1-1 draw.
