Highlights

Matchday 33

FINAL

Holstein-Stadion

SC Freiburg

58'

HölerLucas Höler

45' + 2'

ManzambiJohan Manzambi

RosenboomLasse Rosenboom

24'

R. Schröder

Holstein-Stadion

Full-time: Holstein Kiel 1-2 Freiburg

And with that result, Kiel are relegated to the Bundesliga 2. They made it an exciting contest this afternoon, giving Freiburg plenty of work to do even after going behind, and they did well to take the lead initially. However, they struggled to contain the visitors in the opening stages of the second half, giving them the chance to take the lead and keep their Champions League hopes alive. Julian Schuster's men showed the required grit to pull themselves back from behind, and can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they've done what they need to do ahead of the final matchday.

Full-time

90'

+ 7

Last chance

It's now or never for Kiel, who have less than a minute to find a goal.

90'

+ 6

Substitution

Kiliann Sildillia

Junior Adamu

90'

+ 6

Substitution

Nicolas Höfler

Ritsu Dōan

90'

+ 4

Time running out

Freiburg are happy to sit back, and with just four minutes left of the eight, it looks as if they'll see out their victory.

90'

+ 1

Eight added minutes

The hosts have been boosted by the announcement of eight minutes of added time, giving them a lifeline in their search for an equaliser.

90'

Final stretch

Do Kiel have enough for a final push? They're still camped in the Freiburg half, but are struggling to find an opening.

90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Maximilian Rosenfelder34.50km/h

Timo Becker33.83km/h

Lasse Rosenboom33.02km/h

86'

Can Freiburg hold firm?

They have rarely ventured into the opposition half in the last 10 to 15 minutes. Can they keep Kiel at bay, or will the hosts find a goal from somewhere?

81'

Pressure rising

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

The hosts' xG numbers keep climbing as they keep the pressure on Freiburg.

xGoals

1.12

1.75

Goals

79'

Machino's throws a problem

The Kiel man's long throws are giving the Freiburg plenty to think about with their distance.

79'

Substitution

Benedikt Pichler

Carl Johansson

79'

Substitution

Lewis Holtby

Armin Gigović

76'

Dōan's timely interception

Kiel make progress down the right, with a searching cross being cleared by Dōan at the crucial moment.

76'

Substitution

Christian Günter

Vincenzo Grifo

76'

Substitution

Lukas Kübler

Max Rosenfelder

75'

Taking control

The hosts are doing all they can to claw back some control.

Possession (%)

5347

71'

Substitution

Finn Porath

John Tolkin

70'

Throwing the kitchen sink

As it stands, Kiel will be relegated if things stay the way they are. They've reacted accordingly, penning Freiburg in their own box.

68'

Break in play

A heavy challenge from Gigović on Osterhage has the Freiburg man down and receiving treatment.

67'

Yellow card

Armin Gigović

64'

Ever-present

With a hand in the first goal and an assist for the second, Grifo has been key to Freiburg's comeback, and he's working hard off the ball too.

Distance run (km)

7.8

7.9

Armin Gigović Vincenzo Grifo

61'

Instant reaction

That goal has sparked a reaction from the Kiel bench, who swap Rosenboom for Harres in an attempt to get back into the game.

61'

Substitution

Phil Harres

Lasse Rosenboom

Freiburg take the lead!

And it's the substitute! Höler has done just what was required of him, and changed the game. A delicate cross from Grifo finds him at the far post, and he powers home his header to put Freiburg ahead for the first time.

58'

Lucas Höler

GOAL!

1:2

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

44 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

5.52 m

57'

Almost nothing to separate them

The two teams are going back and forth as both look to edge ahead.

Passes

250

255

54'

Building tempo

The opening minutes, partly due to the stoppage, have not had the same intensity as the end of the first half. Both sides are looking to build momentum.

50'

Back...again

After a short break due to smoke clouding the pitch, the game is back underway.

46'

We're back!

The action resumes here in northern Germany, with Höler replacing Manzambi for the visitors.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 6

Substitution

Lucas Höler

Johan Manzambi

Half-time

Half-time: Holstein Kiel 1-1 Freiburg

With something on the line for both teams, they've certainly both delivered. A bright start from Freiburg was countered by the hosts, who had threatened a couple of times before opening the scoring through Rosenboom. The visitors then came to life, peppering Dähne's goal with effort after effort. After a couple of close calls, they found their equaliser shortly before the break through Manzambi, who capitalised on some penalty areas chaos to get Julian Schuster's side back in the game.

45'

+ 3

SituationGoal

ReviewOffside?

DecisionGoal

Freiburg find a way!

They don't win the penalty, but a throw in is enough. Dähne flaps at a long throw and then both Dōan and Makengo swing at the bouncing ball, both miss, and Manzambi eventually connects, seeing his effort drift into the net for the equaliser.

45'

+ 2

Johan Manzambi

GOAL!

1:1

Goal probability

47 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

5.15 m

45'

SituationNo penalty

ReviewFoul?

DecisionNo penalty

45'

Penalty area chaos

A free-kick is cleared to the edge of the box, where Osterhage fires it back in toward goal, seeing his shot blocked by one of his own. As bodies scramble for the rebound, it looks as if Ginter was fouled, and now a check is underway for a penalty.

43'

Brilliant run

Dōan takes matters into his own hands, dancing into the box before aiming for the far corner from close quarters, but Dähne is equal to his effort.

43'

Applying the pressure

The visitors keep searching for a way back into the game.

Corners

36'

Off the line!

A Grifo corner swings all the way to the back post where it meets Adamu's head and travels toward the far post, where Machino is ready to clear for Kiel. That could be just as important as his assist at the other end!

31'

Heating up

Especially after that opening goal, the game has burst into life. Freiburg have gone close since going behind but are still chasing the equaliser.

Goal attempts

2off target

2on target

3off target

0on target

30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

Maximilian Rosenfelder34.50km/h

John Michael Tolkin32.08km/h

Armin Gigović31.94km/h

27'

The woodwork again!

This time it's Grifo, whose bending effort from the left-hand side of the box strikes the far post, with Dähne rooted to the spot.

An incredible sequence of play!

What a way to take the lead! Freiburg create their first clear chance of the game, with Ginter smashing the crossbar with a close range volley. Kiel then break through Machino, who eventually feeds Rosenboom, with the defender then slotting home from just inside the Freiburg box. Kiel lead!

24'

Lasse Rosenboom

GOAL!

1:0

Goal probability

44 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

13.41 m

22'

Straight at Atubolu!

A long throw from Machino finds Bernhardsson, who rises highest in the centre of the area; he gets plenty of power in the header, but it's straight at the Freiburg 'keeper.

16'

Tough battle

Both sides have plenty to play for, and it's showing.

Tackles won

16'

Visitors regaining control

After a shaky couple of minutes, Freiburg are once again dominating possession.

11'

Tolkin goes for it!

With a free-kick in his own half, the Kiel defender tries to catch Atubolu out with an ambitious strike, but sees it go over.

10'

Skrzybski volleys wide

A cleared corner falls to him outside the area, which he volleys first time; it bounces just wide of Atubolu's goal, putting the visitors on edge briefly.

First set piece for Kiel

The hosts manage to relieve pressure and win a free-kick in the Freiburg half, but it's easily cleared by Makengo.

So close!

A quick shuffle of the feet from Dōan gives him a yard of space on the edge of the box, which he uses to fire a shot just centimetres wide of Dähne's post!

Early penalty claim

Ginter feels a tug in the box, and goes down calling for a penalty, but his claim is waved away.

Aaaand we're off!

The action has begun here in Kiel.

Kick-off!

0:10

In their hands

Already sat in fourth, Freiburg can confirm a place in Europe for next season today with a win, which would also be a big step toward making that a Champions League place.

In a good place

Despite the importance of today's fixture for Freiburg, their last four games show they're more than capable of dealing with the pressure. They've dealt with adversity well against Gladbach and Hoffenheim, regaining leads in both to win.

0:11

Calm before the storm

Kiel warm up ahead of a fixture which could seal their return to the Bundesliga 2.

0:57

Young guns from Breisgau

Freiburg are fielding their youngest starting XI of the season (average age 25.9), making it the youngest under Julian Schuster. Only two players over the age of 30 are playing - Ginter and Grifo - with six more on the bench.

More on those teams

Noah Atubolu returns to actipon for Freiburg after a shoulder injury and is in the starting line-up for the first time since Matchday 27. Otherwise, there are no changes to the Freiburg line-up from last week. Meanwhile Magnus Knudsen returns to Kiel's starting line-up for the first time since Matchday 29 (1-2 against St. Pauli) in place of Nicolai Remberg, who is suspended after picking up a yellow card.

Freiburg starting XI

Atubolu - Rosenfelder, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo - Eggestein, Osterhage - Dōan, Manzambi, Grifo (c) - Adamu

Freiburg subs

Huth, Kübler, Sildillia, Günter, Muslija, Höfler, Röhl, Höler, Gregoritsch

Kiel starting XI

Dähne - Becker (c), Johansson, Zec - Rosenboom, Knudsen, Gigović, Tolkin – Skrzybski - Bernhardsson, Machino

Kiel subs

Weiner, Geschwill, Ivezić, Porath, Holtby, Schulz, Pichler, Harres, Arp

Permutations

A point for both St. Pauli and Hoffenheim this weekend will officially end Kiel's hopes of automatic survival. They will also be able to finish no higher than 17th if they lose to Freiburg and Heidenheim beat Union Berlin. Freiburg, meanwhile, can secure their place in the top four if they win and both RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund fail to beat Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.

Marcel Rapp on Freiburg

"I don't see that we have anything to lose. We can only gain something. If we get relegated, it's sad for us, but for many, it's the most normal thing in the world. It's more of a sensation that we still have a chance of avoiding relegation."

Julian Schuster on Kiel

“Kiel can play at a really high intensity. They are also capable of getting men behind the ball, even when you have already got in between the lines. It’s tough to face. They believe in themselves and play with confidence, which is very unusual for a team in their position.”

Small margins

Just one point ahead of Dortmund in fourth, Freiburg take a slender advantage into the last two games of the season as they aim for a first ever Champions League campaign in 2025/26. Although they surrendered a two-goal lead to Leverkusen last time out, they're unbeaten in four and have won three of those games.

Little margin for error

Should the home side lose to Freiburg and Heidenheim win at Union Berlin, Kiel's Bundesliga adventure will come to an end on Matchday 33.

Japanese hotshots

Both sides' top scorer this Bundesliga campaign is Japanese: Kiel's Shuto Machino has 11 goals so far this season, while Freiburg's Ritsu Dōan has nine.

Champions League qualification possible

Should Dortmund lose against Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig fail to beat Werder Bremen, Freiburg can seal Champions League qualification with a win against Kiel.

Europe up for grabs for Freiburg

While Kiel may have to keep sweating over their Bundesliga status until the final matchday, Freiburg can guarantee a place in Europe on Mathday 33. A win would ensure they can finish no lower than sixth.

2:03

Previous meeting: Freiburg 3-2 Holstein Kiel

The hosts were forced to hang on to victory when these sides last met, back in January, as Kiel mounted a late fightback before falling just short.

2:03

Watch: Freiburg 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen - highlights

Freiburg missed the chance to give themselves a three-point cushion over Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 32, but remain fourth in the Bundesliga standings with two games remaining.

2:03

Watch: Ausgburg 1-3 Holstein Kiel - highlights

Marcel Rapp's side pulled off a crucial victory in Augsburg on Matchday 32. The result moved them just one point behind Heidenheim, who occupy the relegation play-off position.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 33 fixture between Holstein Kiel and SC Freiburg.