Freiburg beats Holstein in the Bundesliga
Holstein Kiel has been relegated from the Bundesliga. The Storks took the lead against Freiburg but then lost the game. Thanks to substitute Höler, the Breisgau club is dreaming of the Champions League.
In their final home game of the season, Kiel desperately needed a third consecutive win to maintain their chances of finishing 16th. Coach Marcel Rapp had to replace Remberg (10th yellow card) after the 3-1 win against FC Augsburg , and Knudsen started in his place. For Sport-Club, who were looking to consolidate fourth place, Atubolu returned to goal after the 2-2 draw against Leverkusen
The visitors got off to a good start and had their first good chance after four minutes through Doan, but the Japanese shot just wide to the right. Kiel worked their way back into the game through challenges, and Skrzybski warned the home side of the Freiburg goal from distance (9′). After that, the game slowed down somewhat, with both teams playing intensely but sloppily.
After 22 minutes, a long throw-in created danger, but Bernhardsson headed the ball straight at Atubolu. Two minutes later, however, Freiburg’s keeper had to reach behind him as Kiel executed a brilliant counterattack: Machino perfectly set up Rosenboom, and with Atubolu free, the right-wing player fired the ball into the net (24′). Freiburg had advanced at this point and were unlucky that seconds earlier, Ginter had hit the crossbar with a scissor-kick.
Freiburg subsequently began to exert pressure, and Kiel again had to hit the woodwork – a shot from Grifo hit the right post (28′). A short time later, Dähne was beaten by a header from Adamu, but Machino cleared it off the line (36′). However, Kiel’s keeper was on hand again to deny Doan (43′).
Manzambi equalizes
Shortly after a challenge between Becker and Ginter was reviewed for a penalty, but it wasn’t awarded, the long-awaited equalizer came: Dähne couldn’t safely clear a long throw-in, and Manzambi thanked him and scored on the turn to make it 1-1 (45’+2′). The visitors almost turned the game around before the break, but Adamu headed just wide to the left (45’+6′).
For the second half, Schuster brought on Höler for Manzambi – and thus gave the lead. Grifo had too much space and crossed perfectly to Höler’s head, who had no trouble from close range (58′). Because Heidenheim was simultaneously leading in Berlin, Kiel had been relegated at this point – so KSV had to respond.
Kiel is not coming back
Everyone in the stadium was aware of the situation. Kiel tried everything, getting one ball after another into the Freiburg penalty area. However, the Breisgau team defended passionately and flawlessly throughout the second half. Kiel’s shots lacked precision and clarity. Even in the eight minutes of added time, Atubolu never once posed a real threat.
After a year in the Bundesliga, KSV is back in the lower division. The away win was a big step toward Champions League qualification for SCF.
On the last matchday (3.30 p.m.) Holstein Kiel will play against Borussia Dortmund, while Freiburg will face their table neighbors Eintracht Frankfurt at the same time .
