Leandro Barreiro was the match-winner for 1. FSV Mainz 05, scoring the only goal of the game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (1-0). The academy product marked his 100th appearance in the Bundesliga with a goal, helping extend FSV’s run to four straight wins on home soil. The Zerofivers took the lead in the 33rd minute, but were unable to add to their tally as TSG held them to just one goal. It was a deserved win for the hosts, however, who will spend the night in seventh place with 35 points.
Head coach Bo Svensson made no changes to his starting line-up, following last weekend’s 4-0 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
FSV took control of the game early on, with the first chance of the game falling to Anthony Caci. His shot was easily parried by goalkeeper Oliver Baumann (5’). Nine minutes later, Danny da Costa just missed getting on the end of pass from Jae-sung Lee (14’). Hoffenheim slowly began to find their way into the game in the minutes that followed, but were unable to break down the Mainz defence. Their first effort on goal came in the 18th minute, as Christoph Baumgartner’s shot was courageous blocked by Barreiro. The hosts continued to look the more threatening side, however. Ludovic Ajorque’s cross into the box found Barreiro, but his shot was blocked as the rebound fell back to the Frenchman. Ajorque’s effort was blocked by the TSG defence and went out for a corner. Just over 10 minutes later, the Zerofivers would be awarded another corner. Fernandes’ delivery into the box first found Stefan Bell, but his volley was saved by Baumann. The rebound fell right in the path of Barreiro, who smashed the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring (33’). It was the midfielder’s fifth goal in the Bundesliga.
The hosts nearly added to their lead just before the break, as Ajorque cut the ball across the face of goal. Kevin Vogt was able to clear it before it could find its way to one of the Frenchman’s teammates.
Ingvartsen’s goal ruled out, but FSV hold on
Svensson made one change at half-time, bringing on Anton Stach for Dominik Kohr, who had picked up a slight knock. TSG also made a substitution, with Sebastian Rudy replacing Dennis Geiger. The first chance after the change of ends would belong to the guests, as Geiger’s effort from 20 metres out was saved by Robin Zentner (50’). Ajorque then took aim from outside the box, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. The Zerofivers had the ball in the back of the net for the second time this afternoon at the hour mark, but Marcus Ingvartsen’s strike was disallowed after an offside call.
Mainz continued to play nice football and looked more like getting another goal than Hoffenheim did an equaliser. Svensson made his second and third changes in the 72nd minute, bringing on captain Silvan Widmer and Aymen Barkok for da Costa and Ingvartsen. The visitors threatened now and again, such as when Baumgartner tested out Zentner in the 74th minute. It was tense right until the final whistle, partly because the hosts couldn’t get a second goal. Lee was denied by Baumann after a solo run (83’) and then made way for Nelson Weiper (84’). Zentner saved a deflected shot from Robert Skov at the other end (87’), while Weiper could have sealed the win in injury time. Nevertheless, Mainz held on to move to 35 points for the season after a tenth league win.
Mainz’s next game is away to Hertha BSC next Saturday (15:30 CET), before SC Freiburg visit the MEWA ARENA eight days later (19th March, 19:30 CET).