Match report

2-2 - HSV and Freiburg draw at the Volksparkstadion

HSV and SC Freiburg drew 2-2 in a thrilling game in front of around 50,000 at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Saturday on Bundesliga matchday 21. The men on target for the home side were Aaron Hunt (15.) and Michael Gregoritsch (57.). The Black forest-based visitors replied through Maximilian Philipp (23.) and Vincenzo Grifo (72.).

HSV and SC Freiburg shared the spoils on matchday 21 at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on Saturday evening. A thrilling game ended in a 2-2 draw – about the right result on the balance of play. The Rothosen took the lead through Hunt on 15 minutes, only for the visitors to level eight minutes later through Philipp. After the break Hamburg substitute Gregoritsch fired the home side in front again with a finish at the far post (57.). Once again Freiburg were not to be denied, striking back through Grifo after 72 minutes. There was late action to come as Hunt missed a penalty just two minutes from the end.

Sub to the rescue: Michael Gregoritsch came on after the break and fired his team ahead.

Bad news for Hamburg

Markus Gisdol was forced to change his starting line-up as Müller was ruled out on the day of the game with a muscular problem. As if to add insult to injury, Bobby Wood missed out with a thigh problem sustained just before kick off. That forced Gisdol to field a team which had never played together before in that formation with regular right back Dennis Diekmeier playing in right midfield and Hunt in the role of sole striker up front. The home side struggled to find their feet early on and the visitors made the better start. The Rothosen began to get a grip on the game and took the lead after 15 minutes as Holtby perfectly set up Hunt to break the deadlock.

But the bad news kept on coming for HSV as key defender Papadopoulos signalled a shoulder problem to the home bench. The home side failed to put the ball out of play at that moment, allowing Freiburg to equalise on 23 minutes. Papadopoulos was then replaced by Djourou at the back. Freiburg gathered momentum as they took the game to HSV and appeared in front of Adler’s goal on many occasions but the home defence stood firm at first and the game was nicely poised at 1-1 as the half time whistle was blown.

Decisive miss from the spot

The large crowd were treated to a second half full of incident. The half began with Freiburg combining well, forcing the Rothosen to keep things tight at the back. The home side got forward as often as possible and one of those moves produced the lead yet again as Gregoritsch, who had come on and played as sole striker finished well at the far post on 57 minutes.

The Austrian had been brought on for Diekmeier at the start of the second half and rounded off a fine move by scoring while perfectly placed at the far post. Once again the home fans did not have long to enjoy that lead because Freiburg equalised a quarter of an hour later. The teams entered the latter stages of the game at 2-2 with HSV looking the likelier to score. Hunt missed two late chances to score (80., 82.). The former Werder Bremen man was to enter the spotlight again on 88 minutes as he missed a penalty after being brought down inside the Freiburg box – more bad news for HSV. SC keeper Schwolow kept the spot kick out allowing the visitors to travel back to the Black Forest with at least half a cake in their luggage. The Rothosen now prepare for the little matter of taking on title favourites Bayern Munich away from home on matchday 22. That game takes place next Saturday at the sold out Allianz Arena in Munich next Saturday afternoon (25.02.17, 3.30PM).

Match details:

Hamburger SV: Adler - G. Sakai, K. Papadopoulos (31. Djourou), Mavraj, Ostrzolek - Walace (83. Ekdal), Jung, Diekmeier (46. Gregoritsch) - Holtby, Kostic - Hunt

SC Freiburg: Schwolow - Kübler, Torrejon, Söyüncü, C. Günter - Abrashi (62. Frantz), Höfler - Philipp, Grifo (89. Bulut) - Haberer (84. Niederlechner) - Petersen

Tore: 1:0 Hunt (15.), 1:1 Philipp (23.), 2:1 Gregoritsch (57.), 2:2 Grifo (72.)

Att: 49.405

Referee: Dingert (Lebecksmühle)

Booked: Kostic (62.), Hunt (68.), Djourou (74.) / Philipp (36.), Haberer (56.)