Augsburg striker Michael Gregoritsch has earned praise from all quarters for his “fair play” action in Saturday’s 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Hamburg. Though it certainly wasn’t the only interesting storyline emanating from the match, the Austrian striker’s admission that he wasn’t fouled at the edge of the area late in the first half emerged as a major talking point.
The 31-year-old Austrian international recently returned to the Bundesliga on loan from Brøndby just six short months after departing German football. Gregoritsch has made no select of the fact that he absolutely loves the league in which he’s now made 282 appearances whilst representing four different top flight clubs. The Bundesliga “fan-favorite” did his preferred league a great service on Saturday.
Hamburger SV happened to be one of the club’s Gregoritsch represented. Prior to heading to Augsburg for his first stint with the Fuggerstädter, Gregoritsch spent two seasons in the Hanseatic city state between 2015 and 2017. Despite the fact that the stakes couldn’t have been higher in Saturday’s relegation six pointer, Gregoritsch didn’t want to put his former club at a disadvantage.
Augsburg entered second half injury time leading their hosts 0-1. At 45+3, match official Deniz Aytekin awarded a free-kick to the guests in a dangerous area just outside the box. The scene didn’t count as one that VAR could review. As a result, Aytekin went to the sideline to ask Gregoritsch what happened. Gregoritsch – receiving treatment on the touchline – told the truth.
Gregortisch made clear that Hamburg’s Fabio Vieira didn’t foul him. In point of fact, it was the other way around. Aytekin cancelled the free kick. Journalists fawned over Gregoritsch in the mixed zone as he explained that – irrespective of how important the match was – he didn’t wish to be at the center of the scene that could have resulted in a backbreaking goal against HSV.
Merlin Polzin exchanged words with Gregoritsch and spoke on the matter at the post-match press conference. Augsburg head coach Manuel Baum was also asked about the player he’s coached during both his stints coaching FCA. While Baum took care to emphasize that his player had done the right thing, the FCA head coach evidently still wasn’t over the fact that his club needed points to escape relegation.
“I have to mention that Gregoritsch’s behavior just prior to halftime was worthy of great praise,” Polzin remarked in his introductory statement at the post-match press conference. “And I believe that scene probably deserves more attention than most of the other things occurring on the pitch that we can discuss today.“
“I just wanted to talk with him about the scene,” Polzin answered when questioned about his exchange at the post match press conference. “One sees what a decent sportsman he is to clarify the scene correctly. That was top-class of him to behave that way in such a situation.
“I also apologized to him for our stance on an earlier potential penalty scene,” Polzin continued. “HSV experienced plenty of joy and fun with him during his time here. He clearly hasn’t changed. He’s the same decent sportsman he was when he was here.“
“I assess it precisely the same as my colleague,” Baum said when it was his turn to speak on the Gregoritsch case. “That was a super action of his to admit that it wasn’t a foul. I still don’t like the idea of the match official asking a player to clarify.
“What would have happened if he answered the other way around?,” Baum continued. “Then he would be the villain. If I were the ref, I wouldn’t place the responsibility on the players. I’d shoulder the responsibility myself. That’s what a referee is there for.
“I nevertheless think that it was in order that Gregi did what he did,” Baum concluded. “It’s great that he described the scene as he did. I tip my cap to Gregi, but I still wouldn’t bring the players into the fray. I don’t like that.“
