The last time SC Freiburg faced HSV in the DFB-Pokal, the semi-final stage of the 2021/22 edition, Julian Schuster was in the away end as a fan, but this time he was on the touchline as head coach: he couldn’t have had two more differing perspectives on the two cup ties. On both occasions, however, the result remained constant – SCF progressed through to the next round. 

Five changes were made for this fixture against HSV, of which one had already been announced by Schuster. Florian Müller started in between the sticks: “Flo has earned this start,” explained Schuster. Elsewhere, Maximilian Philipp came in to make his first competitive appearance this season and replaced Ritsu Doan (ill). Matthias Ginter, Maximilian Eggestein and Michael Gregoritsch were the other three changes to the team which started in Leipzig at the weekend.

Grifo with an assist and a goal

It was a lively start to the game, a classic cup tie – pyrotechnics and tifos at both ends, which resulted in a cloud of fog over the pitch at kick off, and SCF got straight to business, pressing the Bundesliga 2 side early in their half. HSV keeper Matheo Raab’s clearance struck Eren Dinkci’s head and went just wide of the goal (2’). Florian Müller was able to impress in front of the Südkurve when he saved a header from a Hamburg corner off the goal line (4’). There was then a header at the other end – this time Gregoritsch misfired after meeting Christian Günter’s corner. 

The opening exchanges were as lively as the fans watching on in the crowd. Raab stretched out a hand to keep out Lukas Kübler’s shot from 19 yards to keep his team from going behind, and Raab was on hand once again to deny the home side after their best move of the game so far. Neat passing through midfield resulted in Dinkci playing it to Philipp, who was unable to get enough power behind his shot from the left-hand side of the box (15’). It was a one-way game by this point, and SCF took the lead in the 19th minute. Ginter rose highest from Grifo’s corner and headed in to make it 1-0.

It was a deserved lead, but the hosts then began to allow their guests a little more space. Günter initially lost track of Davie Selke, but Philipp Lienhart stepped in to clear the ball away from the penalty box before the HSV attacker could get a shot off (29’). SC were becoming sloppier in their own play and weren’t getting as many chances as they had enjoyed at the beginning of the game. However, SCF remained the more active side in the game. As Eggestein had a free route into the Hamburg penalty box, but was fouled upon reaching the area, referee Dr. Felix Brych awarded a penalty. Grifo stepped up and comfortably converted to make it 2-0 (44’). “I was convinced I was going to go top right – and it turned out to be the right decision,” commented Grifo, who was crowned “Man of the Match” after full time.

HSV get one back 

The visitors started the better of the two sides in the second half. Not enough was done to stop the header from a Jonas Meffert corner which resulted in the scoreline becoming 2-1. Bundesliga 2’s current fifth-placed side were back in the game and therefore were more confident and braver in their play. SC had to focus more and more on their defensive work and only had their first good chance of the second half in the 62nd minute. Gregoritsch had a go in the penalty box, but the shot was blocked. At the other end, Selke had another good headed chance, but this was comfortably saved by Müller.

SC had managed to stifle their opponent’s attacking pressure and tried to put the visitors back under more pressure themselves, as Junior Adamu headed just over from Günter’s cross (70’). There weren’t many good chances being created in front of HSV’s goal, as had been the case in the first half. Grifo tried to take on one too many players a few minutes later, and the ball was nicked off of his toe.

Naturally, Hamburg were focusing on winning the ball back fast. Only a goal was required to take the game to extra time, and this almost came in the 84th minute as Ransford Königsdörffer, fortunately from an SCF perspective, dragged the ball just wide of the post from 15 yards. Marco Richter was given far too much space in the box in the 89th minute, and once again, SC were lucky that the HSV attacker slipped whilst taking his shot which led to the ball flying high and wide. Freiburg allowed the opposition too much space once again in stoppage time. Jean-Luc Dompé got a free shot on goal but only found the side-netting. This was to be the final chance of the game, as a strong first-half performance from SCF was enough to secure their deserved progression into the round of 16. They will find out their next opponents in the competition on Sunday. Goalscorer Grifo briefly summarised: “HSV were strong opposition, but we defeated them. That’s what counts. We’re relieved to have made it to the next round.”

Schuster spoke of the “tough game” he was expecting and praised the opposing side for their bravery with the ball. “We were able to set ourselves on course for victory thanks to our set-pieces. I didn’t like the time at which we conceded, but we didn’t allow them too much in terms of chances and defended well at the end.”

Photo: Achim Keller