Overview
- Freiburg won 2-1 after Igor Matanovic scored late, moments after Johan Manzambi appeared to elbow Jordan Torunarigha, a sequence the referee did not penalize and VAR did not overturn.
- HSV coach Merlin Polzin called the non-call inexplicable after reviewing multiple angles and said the officiating team told him they viewed the incident differently.
- Referee Timo Gerach defended the decision by describing the contact as football-typical and saying he did not detect a deliberate striking action.
- Hamburg midfielder Nicolai Remberg labeled the decision unbelievable in his DAZN interview and questioned how the foul was not given.
- An earlier penalty and second yellow for Daniel Elfadli after light contact on Lucas Höler produced Freiburg’s equalizer, intensifying HSV’s frustration with the officiating.