Mainz 05 achieved an immensely important victory against TSG Hoffenheim in the fight to stay in the league. For Hoffenheim it was a bitter setback in the race for the European Cup.
Mainz’s dream of staying in the league is alive. After three wins from the last four games and the Bochum draw in the parallel game against 1. FC Heidenheim, the Rheinhessen are only one point behind the first non-relegation place. Jonathan Burkardt (47′), Phillipp Mwene (51′), Brajan Gruda (63′) and Karim Onisiwo (88′) turned the game around and shot Mainz 05 to a deserved 4-1 win against TSG Hoffenheim. Pavel Kaderabek (19th) had previously shot the Kraichgauer team into the lead. “It was an incredible second half,” said Mainz goalscorer Phillipp Mwene in an interview with SWR Sport.
Peter Warzelhahn, sports show, April 13, 2024 5:40 p.m
Mainz 05 started briskly and scored after just 40 seconds. However, Leandro Barreiro was previously offside; The early goal therefore did not count. But it already clearly showed what coach Bo Henriksen’s team wanted to achieve: Mainz attacked Hoffenheim early and disrupted the Kraichgauer team in the build-up to the game. As a result, coach Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team was barely able to develop and even more rarely crossed the halfway line. As soon as Mainz had possession of the ball, they looked for a direct route towards the Hoffenheim goal.
Peter Warzelhahn, sports show, April 13, 2024 6:00 p.m
Mainz 05 presses, Hoffenheim scores
Completely successful: Phillipp Mwene (12th) tried from the edge of the penalty area, but was denied by Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann. Less than 60 seconds later, Jonathan Burkardt’s shot whizzed millimeters past the goal. Shortly afterwards, Burkardt had the next opportunity when he appeared in the Hoffenheim five-meter area – but the 23-year-old hesitated for too long (16th). And when the 32,000 spectators in the Mainz Arena were wondering when Mainz would score their first regular goal, TSG Hoffenheim scored. Andrej Kramaric crossed to Pavel Kaderabek – and because Mwene canceled the offside and goalkeeper Robin Zentner came a little too late, the Czech was able to head in free-standing to give Hoffenheim the lead (19th).
However, Mainz did not allow themselves to be disconcerted by the goal and continued to play in the same way – but efficiency was still lacking: Anthony Caci shot half a meter wide (26′), Dominik Kohr was denied by Baumann from the edge of the penalty area (33′). , his second attempt landed centimeters from the goal (34th). Grillitsch blocked Mwene’s shot from six meters (41′) and Kohr’s shot from a corner from Nadiem Amiri rolled parallel to the goal line through the Hoffenheim five-meter area. The people of Kraichgau were rarely able to provide relief. From Mainz’s point of view at halftime there were 14:3 shots on goal and 6:1 corners, but 0:1 goals. “We were just lucky to be leading at halftime,” said Hoffenheim’s Anton Stach. “We didn’t really accept the fight. They were better in everything and deserved to win.”
Ann-Kathrin Rose, Sportschau, April 13, 2024 6:43 p.m
Mainz 05 turns the game around
In the second half, Mainz 05 pushed for the equalizer. Jae Sung Lee allowed himself to be pushed away on his way to the Hoffenheim goal, so his shot ultimately didn’t pose a big problem for Hoffenheim keeper Baumann. However, when Burkardt equalized just a few seconds later, the 33-year-old had no chance. Because after Caci’s sharp cross, the Mainz striker basically just had to hold his head (47′). “It came so perfectly. I practically couldn’t head past it,” said Burkardt.
Peter Warzelhahn, sports show, April 13, 2024 5:47 p.m
Kaderabek deflects unstoppable
The spell was broken, and just four minutes later, Mainz had completely turned the game around: Mwene shot in the penalty area in a central position, Hoffenheim goalscorer Pavel Kaderabek made a deflection – once again no chance for Oliver Baumann. “A huge thank you to the fans,” said the goalscorer happily. “They gave it their all during the warm-up. Then you go into the game and are 150 percent motivated. I couldn’t have imagined anything better for my first goal.”
Mainz 05 secures the relegation place
Mainz wanted to use the momentum for the early decision. Leandro Barreiro’s volley flew just a few centimeters over the goal (59′). But the next Mainz attack was successful: After a Hoffenheim corner, Amiri raced the ball all over the pitch and saw Mwene running with him. Burkardt missed his cross in the center, but Brajan Gruda scored in the follow-up to make it 3-1 (63′).
Afterwards, Mainz took things a little easier and Hoffenheim was no longer able to pose a serious threat to the Mainz goal. On the contrary: Karim Onisiwo was even able to increase the score to 4:1 in the final phase. It was a deserved success for Mainz, who are now in the relegation zone with 26 points. The gap to VfL Bochum is now just one point, the lead over the first direct relegation spot has increased to four points after 1. FC Köln’s defeat at FC Bayern Munich. Mainz 05 will play at SC Freiburg next Sunday (April 21st, 7:30 p.m.). TSG Hoffenheim will face Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday (April 20, 3:30 p.m.).
Broadcast on Sunday, April 14, 2024, 10:05 p.m., SWR Sport, SWR