1. FSV Mainz 05

Eight members of the 1. FSV Mainz first team have been away representing their countries in...

The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) have announced the dates and timings for matchdays 31 to 33. The Zerofivers will face Schalke 04 (Friday, 5th May, 20:30 CEST), Eintracht Frankfurt (Saturday, 13th May, 15:30 CEST) and VfB Stuttgart (Sunday, 21st May, 15:30 CEST) in the season run-in, before ending 2022/23 away at Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 27th May, 15:30 CEST).  

1. FSV Mainz 05 earned a late draw against SC Freiburg as they closed out matchday 25 on Sunday evening. Based on their chances in the closing minutes, it was a lucky but not undeserved point for the Zerofivers. Read on for all the post-match reaction from within the Mainz camp.

Karim Onisiwo secured a 1-1 draw for 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the dying moments of the game against SC Freiburg on Sunday evening. The Austrian profited in additional time from fine work from his strike partner Ludovic Ajorque, who poked the ball through to him at just the right moment. This goal was his 31st in the Bundesliga, equalling Robin Quaison’s goal record for the club. Earlier, Ritsu Doan had profited from a misunderstanding in the Zerofivers‘ defence to put SC Freiburg one ahead. This meant a sharing of the points for the Zerofivers at home after four straight wins, but the team nevertheless remain unbeaten at home in the second half of the season.

1. FSV Mainz 05 will host SC Freiburg at the MEWA ARENA on Sunday night (19:30 CET). Both teams have been in good form recently and are in the top third of the Bundesliga table. There a number of similarities between both sides, but also some stark differences.

Quality depth the key

The only goal Robin Zentner has conceded across all competitions this year came in Berlin last Sunday, as Jessic Ngankam scored from the spot after the hosts were awarded a questionable penalty following a supposed handball in the box. Zentner had kept a clean sheet in each of his last two games against Borussia Mönchengladbach and TSG Hoffenheim, after making his comeback from a back injury. This is just a bonus for the 28-year-old, who added that the most important thing is making sure to win games.

1. FSV Mainz 05 drew 1-1 away against Hertha BSC on Saturday afternoon. Ludovic Ajorque’s stunning goal in the second half cancelled out a controversial Jessic Ngankam penalty for the hosts.

Mainz had to settle for a point away to Hertha BSC on Saturday afternoon at the...

A top team in the second half of the season