Supporters once again remained muted during the opening 12 minutes of today’s proceedings in protest against the Interior Ministers Conference’s plans which could mean possible sanctions to be faced by football fans. However, those inside the ground could not hold themselves back when it appeared that Freiburg had taken the lead in the fifth minute. Lucas Höler, who, along with Johan Manzambi and Philipp Treu, came into the starting line-up, found the net only for the video assistant referee to rule it out for offside.

Julian Schuster had reiterated the need for patience ahead of the fixture but only a couple of minutes later, the visiting side at the bottom of the table found themselves on the back foot once more. While Mainz sat deep in their own half, SC were playing full of ambition and pace in attack. They repeatedly turned the ball over well in the middle of the park and went ahead in the 12th minute. A set piece bore fruit once again as Philipp Lienhart latched onto the end of a corner to head towards goal. Mainz stopper Lasse Rieß parried but Lukas Kübler benefitted from the rebound to stab home the opener (12’).

Two goals up with a player advantage

SC took the game by the scruff of the neck, forcing Mainz back. On 19 minutes, Yuito Suzuki fired off a promising shot from 20 yards which Rieß gathered at the second time of asking. Fewer than three minutes later, a curling effort from Vincenzo Grifo was only prevented from doubling the lead by a defensive leg. The opportunity developed again following effective pressing, leading to a turnover. Schuster responded with applause from the sideline and he saw his side make it 2-0 shortly afterwards, as the visitors appeared somewhat overwhelmed.

Another win of possession in midfield, followed by quickfire passing in transition, led to Höler squaring for Grifo, who side-footed home from six yards out (26’). Schuster celebrated the second goal enthusiastically, and things only got tougher for the away team. Paul Nebel made contact with force and studs showing just above the ankle of Lienhart. Referee Daniel Schlager reacted by presenting the red card and Nebel headed for the changing room.

Another goal shortly after the break

Gaps in the opposition half became fewer and further between for SC as Mainz concentrated primarily on the defensive work inside the Europa-Park Stadion. Maximilian Eggestein received the only further chance before half-time as he tried his luck with a header (42’).

Not even two minutes had been played after the restart before SC linked up to penetrate the Mainz rear guard, culminating in a blocked shot for Treu. Grifo followed up but from an offside position. The next move came in the 50th minute and delivered Freiburg’s third goal. Suzuki poked the ball through to Manzambi and the Switzerland international left the Mainz keeper with no chance.

Noah Atubolu found himself with little to do as those in front of him let the ball do the running and racked up 70% possession after 65 minutes. Until the 71st minute, there were no further goalscoring chances, but then Mainz’s second corner kick presented a counter attacking chance to Freiburg, spearheaded by Grifo. His pass from the right-hand side was perfectly timed to pick out the onrushing Niklas Beste down the left flank. Beste controlled before dinking the ball over the keeper. The fans were ready to celebrate once more; however, a Mainz defender got back to clear off the line and deny SC’s fourth.

VAR rules another goal out

Manzambi sent the crowd into raptures again after 78 minutes when he crashed another shot into the net. The stadium announcer had already declared the latest supposed goalscorer and match standing, only for the video official to chalk off a second strike of the evening for offside. Along with Höler’s early goal, Manzambi’s double also did not count. Nevertheless, it was to be made 4-0 late on as Patrick Osterhage got onto the end of Ginter’s headed flick-on in the 90th minute to prod home from close range and add his name to the score sheet.

Despite a pair of goals ruled out, SC recorded a comfortable win over the side at the foot of the standings regardless. Schuster pumped his fists with delight at sound of the full-time whistle and analysed: “The team showed great desire, fight and cohesion from start to finish. We displayed the perfect mix of defensive and attacking play today. We kept on the gas when we went a man up and looked to go forward. It was a great performance from us today.”

SC are back in action at the Europa-Park Stadion as soon as this coming Wednesday, when the side welcome second-tier Darmstadt 98 for a DFB-Pokal quarter-final clash at 18:00 CEST.

Photo: SC Freiburg