The two teams had been similarly busy during the week. Both sides were involved in European competition on Thursday: SC in the Europa League and Mainz in the Conference League, where they defeated RC Strasbourg 2-0 in their quarter-final first-leg match. The 05ers had also been on a good run of form in the league, and sat four points and just one place behind Freiburg in the table prior to kick-off.

SCF made six changes for their trip to the MEWA ARENA. Three of these came in the back four as Lukas Kübler, Bruno Ogbus and Christian Günter were brought into the side. The coaching staff also included Cyriaque Irié, Lucas Höler and Derry Scherhant in attack. Mainz head coach Urs Fischer altered his starting line-up for the first time in four Bundesliga matches as he made two changes to his team.

An attack-minded start and Mainz hit the woodwork

Freiburg made a strong start and had multiple attacks in the first ten minutes. In the second minute, Irié came forward down the right, but his ball across goal was intercepted by Mainz goalkeeper Daniel Batz. The hosts threatened for the first time in the 22nd minute, when Noah Atubolu made a spectacular diving save to thwart a cross from the left. Danny Da Costa fired the follow-up well over.

Mainz began to play with more confidence and had the best chance of the game so far in the 25th minute. Stefan Posch tried his luck with a long-range effort and Atubolu got his fingertips to the ball before it cannoned off the post. Soon after, Nikolas Veratschnig struck a volley over the bar from inside the area (30’) before Paul Nebel was unable to convert a Sheraldo Becker cross two minutes later.

The Conference League quarter-finalists were now on top, while SC struggled to launch any dangerous attacks. Julian Schuster seemed frustrated on the touchline. Prior to half time, SCF were unable to replicate the attacking, brave and exciting passing play from their previous two matches against this alert Mainz side.

Höler with the header

Ogbus, who was on a yellow card, was replaced at the break by Philipp Lienhart, who was involved in the Freiburg goal with one of his first few touches of the ball. The Austrian nodded Manzambi’s long throw on to Ginter. The ball then came to Höler, who directed a looping header into the net to give the visitors the lead (47’). “The set pieces, one of which actually led to our goal, were very important for us today,” said Julian Schuster after the game.

The 05ers looked to respond after falling behind. Becker took on a shot from distance which Atubolu gathered at the second attempt (52’). The goal sparked the game into life and both sides became more energetic going forward. SC were particularly dangerous from dead balls. Matanovic’s header from a Scherhant free kick went narrowly over (56’). Batz was then forced into two excellent saves. He first turned Manzambi’s volley over the bar (59’) before, a minute later, he managed to keep out a header from Ginter.

Mainz up the pressure and Ginter forced off

While SCF had the upper hand in the air, the match was a livelier affair in the second half with chances at both ends. Freiburg gave little away defensively, but Silvan Widmer had a huge chance to equalise in the 79th minute after good play from the likes of substitute Nadiem Amiri. However, his effort from the centre of the box was too close to Atubolu.

The hosts kept piling on the pressure and had another opportunity two minutes later when Becker fired over. SC were then forced to replace another centre-back, as Ginter’s nose kept bleeding after he had suffered a blow to the face in the first half. “We tried everything to stop the bleeding but nothing would help,” said the defender, who also spoke about the game: “We started today’s match having made a lot of changes. Mainz have been in great form over the past few weeks. We can be very happy with the result.”

SCF had to do a lot of defending in the closing stages. The 05ers threw everything at it but did not create any more clearcut opportunities. Höler’s perfectly placed header earned Freiburg a narrow victory on the road against the team below them in the table, as well as a second away win in a row. “Matze laid the ball straight into my path and I just tried to place it as well as I could,” said Höler. Schuster was also delighted with the result of his side’s Bundesliga match ahead of their Europa League second leg against Celta Vigo. “The lads gave very little away defensively and we knew that we wouldn’t get many chances in this game. I’m very pleased with the performance.”

Photo: SC Freiburg