Bundesliga: HSV-Freiburg – Rescue postponed – SPIEGEL ONLINE

The German Football Association is likely to absorb any investigation into the square tower in the 90th minute: Gojko Kacar had just the game HSV-Freiburg to 1: 1 eingeköpft and the hosts protected against a bitter defeat in a relegation battle, coach Bruno Labbadia was so euphoric that he ran on the grass jubilantly followed by his assistant and substitute players.

had as the referee Knut Kircher blown the game, could be celebrate the Hamburger professionals by their fans. “Never second division!” Sang the audience. Quite as if the league already managed. And even if the hamburger as winner felt due to the late point gain, with whom she had been rewarded for their fighting spirit, they had missed a great chance.

With a win against also struggling against relegation Freiburger of HSV could have put the gap to the relegation place on four points. With two games remaining, the rescue would have been almost. Instead, there is the certainty of a that coach Bruno Labbadia is not a miracle worker but and that the hamburger must fight to the last game against relegation.

Without self-confidence, without courage

For Labbadia that’s no reason to despair. When he began his second term at HSV scarcely a month ago, the team was Table, the fans made already with the travel routes to Sandhausen, Heidenheim and Aalen familiar. Through victory against Augsburg and Mainz faith returned to the league, and may be a part of the environment was to ensure that a win at home to Freiburg is just a formality. Nevertheless: “For the last three games we scored seven points and us a chance preserved in the league,” Labbadia said

With good reason the coach points to the positive trend, that the HSV two. Game days before the end of the season has the prospect of relegation. This was not expected at Labbadias office. “Since we were almost lost. Now we breathe again,” the coach said after the game against Freiburg. He tries to interpret the positive draw. He knew of course that his side had missed a golden opportunity.

The hamburgers were different than played against Augsburg and Mainz, without confidence, without courage. “We have not let the balls run fast, have acted hesitantly and have never come into play,” noted defender Heiko Westermann. Had the Freiburger consistently handled their chances, they had the lead Admir Mehmedis from the 25th minute yet, be followed by two goals. The HSV would not come back.

“relegation battle is shit”

That the hamburgers still came to balance, and the seconds before the final whistle, they interpreted as a sign of their fighting spirit. “That was another point of morality,” said goalkeeper Rene Adler. Morality, character, will – these words were heard after the game most frequently in the interview zone on the ground floor of the Hamburg Arena

In fact Labbadia has strengthened the mentality of the team.. She believes in her chance and can no longer be thrown off course by setbacks in a high arc. That could be seen against Augsburg, as the HSV a 2: 0 lead playful yet won, which was shown in Mainz, where Kacar shortly before the finish to 2: 1 hit, and that was seen against Freiburg.

One of the curiosities of the relegation battle that became the hero again Kacar. The midfielder was actually sorted out, his departure for the new season is decided. Coach Labbadia estimates Kacars rest in defensive midfield and his fighter mentality. “You need the good fortune that a few players take off that no one on the list was” Labbadia said about the requirements in the struggle for survival. Goalkeeper Adler pretends because of the recent performances, not to be afraid for the league: “When I see the past few weeks, I doubt for a second,” he said.

When you look at the table Adler likely but then come a little to ponder. In the worst case, the hamburger could slip on the relegation place until the end of the match. On Saturday (15.30 clock, live ticker SPIEGEL ONLINE) stands at VfB Stuttgart to the next descent-finals for the hamburger. On the final day of the FC Schalke 04 will be a guest in the People’s Park.

The situation in the relegation remains unpredictable. Or as coach Labbadia put it: “relegation battle is shit.” Despite occasional euphoria outbreaks like to Kacars equalizer against Freiburg.