Mixed emotions at the Kleeblatt after the 0:3 at Borussia Dortmund: Praise and satisfaction about a good performance except for the result on the one hand, anger and incomprehension about the referee Daniel Schlager on the other hand.

Don’t small clubs have a bonus when it comes to referees? The question is idle, but it automatically came up for those responsible at SpVgg. “I have the feeling that eyes are being closed in one situation or another. That’s not acceptable, it was a clear intervention in the game,” coach Stefan Leitl was incensed at the post-match press conference.

What had happened? Jude Bellingham, who had already been cautioned for unsporting behaviour, ran recklessly into Max Christiansen, but also clearly played the ball. In the end, the scene was just within the discretion of referee Daniel Schlager. Leitl saw it differently: “For me, that’s a very clear yellow card, it makes me angry.” It may have played a role that this season – with the exception of the controversial winning goal against Union Berlin – controversial decisions usually go against Fürth.

You also have to fight back sometimes, even as a small Spielvereinigung.

Leitl’s team was well in the game at this point, only trailing 0:1 due to an unfortunate handball penalty (“You can give that one, clearly”). Would an overtime in the second half have changed the outcome? “It’s hypothetical to say we would have turned the game around. But at least we would have had good chances,” Leitl said, finding it simply “very, very bitter”. He himself saw a yellow card for protesting while still on the pitch – and would do it again: “You have to fight back sometimes, even as a small playing club. If a fine comes, I will pay it, hopefully for a good cause. “

Regardless of the referee, Leitl was very much in agreement with his eleven’s performance. “A deserved win for BVB, but also congratulations to my team for a very courageous and disciplined performance. We were not three goals worse. And you could see that the win against Union Berlin gave us a lot of confidence.” The only question is whether they will carry this into the last game of the first round against FC Augsburg. On Saturday, the chances of a sense of achievement are higher than against Borussia. Nothing other than the second home win must be the goal, so that at least a single spark of hope for staying in the class still glows at Christmas.