Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia has defended his decision to substitute Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutchman stormed off the field during yesterday's 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Van Nistelrooy, a January signing from Real Madrid and one of the club's biggest earners, was clearly not happy to be replaced just after the hour mark.
But Labbadia said: "(Van Nistelrooy) has hardly played for six months and you could see that he was lacking freshness."
Labbadia was bitterly disappointed with the loss, which left his side four points behind northern rivals Werder Bremen in the race for a place in Europe next season.
Only a few weeks ago, the HSV boss was talking up his side's chances of catching the top three and qualifying for the Champions League.
But now they have a challenge on their hands to clinch European football at all.
"Overall, this was too little when you consider our ambitions and our situation," said Labbadia.
"We were unable to do what we had prepared and planned for this game.
"Now we all have to accept our responsibility and keep working hard on getting where we see ourselves."
The win inched Gladbach even closer to safety this season, much to the delight of their coach Michael Frontzeck.
"We played with a lot of passion against a strong HSV," he said.
"We pushed ourselves to our limits, but that is necessary if you want to beat HSV.
"Obviously we are happy to have won in this fantastic atmosphere."
The win moved Gladbach onto 34 points, 10 points clear of the bottom three with six games of the season remaining.
But Labbadia said: "(Van Nistelrooy) has hardly played for six months and you could see that he was lacking freshness."
Labbadia was bitterly disappointed with the loss, which left his side four points behind northern rivals Werder Bremen in the race for a place in Europe next season.
Only a few weeks ago, the HSV boss was talking up his side's chances of catching the top three and qualifying for the Champions League.
But now they have a challenge on their hands to clinch European football at all.
"Overall, this was too little when you consider our ambitions and our situation," said Labbadia.
"We were unable to do what we had prepared and planned for this game.
"Now we all have to accept our responsibility and keep working hard on getting where we see ourselves."
The win inched Gladbach even closer to safety this season, much to the delight of their coach Michael Frontzeck.
"We played with a lot of passion against a strong HSV," he said.
"We pushed ourselves to our limits, but that is necessary if you want to beat HSV.
"Obviously we are happy to have won in this fantastic atmosphere."
The win moved Gladbach onto 34 points, 10 points clear of the bottom three with six games of the season remaining.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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