Freiburg triumphs and seals Holstein Kiel’s relegation

Holstein Kiel has been relegated from the Bundesliga after just one year. This decision was confirmed following their 1:2 loss at home to SC Freiburg and 1 FC Heidenheim’s 3:0 victory over 1. FC Union Berlin. As a result, Kiel will bid farewell to the top division of German football on the final matchday next Saturday against Borussia Dortmund.

Lasse Rosenboom opened the scoring for the hosts in the 24th minute before a crowd of 15,034 at the sold-out Holstein Stadium. However, Johan Manzambi equalized in first-half stoppage time (45+2), and Lucas Höler scored the winner in the 58th minute, keeping Freiburg’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.

Kiel’s coach Marcel Rapp retained the same successful lineup that had achieved back-to-back victories, making only one change in midfield with Magnus Knudsen replacing the suspended Nicolai Remberg. Meanwhile, Freiburg’s goalkeeper Noah Atubolu made his return to the pitch after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The visitors were keen to maintain control of the match. Freiburg, under the direction of coach Julian Schuster, started aggressively and created the first significant chance, with Ritsu Doan’s shot narrowly missing the Kiel goal (4th minute).

Kiel played a counter-attacking game, but Freiburg’s defense remained solid. Attempts from Steven Skrzybski (9th) and Alexander Bernhardsson (22nd) failed to find the target.

The match took a turn when Matthias Ginter from Freiburg struck the crossbar with a bicycle kick, shortly before Kiel capitalized on a counter-attack to take the lead. Shuto Machino set up Rosenboom perfectly, who finished with precision after a strong run down the right flank.

Freiburg responded unfazed and equalized just before halftime. The video assistant referee (VAR) was involved twice; first in declining a penalty for a foul on Ginter and then in validating Manzambi’s equalizer.

As the second half began, Freiburg fans lit pyrotechnics, causing a brief interruption. Once play resumed, Freiburg maintained their focus, with substitute Höler scoring a header to put them ahead, effectively relegating Kiel to the second division.

In an effort to enhance their attack, Kiel brought on Phil Harres, Finn Porath, Lewis Holtby, and Benedikt Pichler. However, they failed to create any clear chances to equalize, leaving them without hope of salvaging their Bundesliga status.