Michael Ballack's first Bundesliga goal for over five years gave Bayer Leverkusen a 1-0 win at last-placed Freiburg on Friday.
Ballack scored in the second minute when Freiburg failed to clear a corner, allowing Oemer Toprak and Manuel Friedrich to head the ball on for the former Germany captain to strike from close range.
Ballack last scored in the German league in May 2006, in his last game for Bayern Munich before a move to Chelsea.
The 35-year-old was involved in a heavy challenge before being taken off in the 65th minute.
''It's possible that he broke his nose,'' said Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt.
Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cisse hit the post with a volley in the 38th, and Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno denied the home side with a number of impressive saves.
Last year's runner-up Leverkusen, which visits Valencia in the Champions League on Tuesday, climbs to eighth ahead of the weekend's round of games.
Dutt was well received on his first return to his former club, but his successor, Marcus Sorg, is under increasing pressure after claiming only seven points from 11 games.
''This team has a great mentality, and a lot of strength,'' said Sorg. ''I can't fault the team. They played a really good game against a good opponent. But again we're not rewarded for our efforts.''
Jan Rosenthal's header whizzed by the post before the break, and Leno reacted smartly to stop Garra Dembele's deflected effort after it.
Then Cisse fired narrowly over after taking the ball on his chest in the 69th, with Leno twice denying substitute Stefan Reisinger late on.
