If struggling Hamburg are going to retain their spot in the Bundesliga, this is the sort of game they have to win. Freiburg have virtually matched their terrible start, coming into the game in 17th place and just three points ahead of the stricken Rothosem, and even for Hamburg a trip to the Dreisamstadion looked like an opportunity to pick up three points.

Things started well for the visitors, who went ahead after a scramble in the box following a corner kick, Heung-Min Son heading home from close range. Hamburg had threatened even before their opener, hitting the crossbar through a Mladen Petric free kick. Freiburg came back into the game, however, dominating the second half of the opening period and getting a deserved equaliser through Papiss Demba Cisse shortly after the restart.

Freiburg were probably looking slightly more likely to get the winner, too, but it was the visitors who struck again, Ivo Ilicevic picking up a pass from Gokhan Tore and slotting home past Oliver Baumann for the winner. It almost wasn't, however - in the 80th minute Jeffrey Bruma conceded a penalty for a foul on Stefan Reisinger, but Cisse missed the spot kick and Freiburg's last chance was gone.

For Hamburg, it's job done and an important three points, but the hosts will be to get any separation between themselves and the relegation zone.