Freiburg Snaps Streak, Mainz Struggles in Bundesliga Clash
In a tightly contested match, SC Freiburg broke free from their recent slump and handed new coach Jan Siewert his first defeat in charge of FSV Mainz 05 with a 1-0 victory. Amidst a lively crowd of 30,300 in Freiburg, Michael Gregoritsch delivered the deciding blow in the 69th minute, sending the 05ers back to the trenches in a relegation battle.
Mainz's Misfortune
In the midst of a season where every point matters, Mainz stays mired in distress at second-last place in the Bundesliga table with eight points. The 05ers had previously notched up one win and three draws under the leadership of Siewert, who took over from Bo Svensson in November.
A Routine Substitution for Mainz
The absence of regular goalkeeper Robin Zentner due to a finger injury heralded Daniel Batz's return to the Bundesliga after 11.5 years. The 32-year-old made his comeback during his Freiburg days and was called into action early, blocking a header from Ludovic Ajorque in the 4th minute.
Freiburg's Chances
With a few opportunities slipping away, Freiburg continued its pursuit of a goal. Ritzu Doan was unable to beat Batz with a shot, and then luck favored them as a low shot from Michael Gregoritsch hit the post shortly afterward.
Setbacks and Chances
When Freiburg's central defender Matthias Ginter went down injured, Sven Michel, their stand-in, did his best to hold fort. Mainz had chances of its own to break the deadlock, but a timely save from Atubolu denied them.
Turning Point
Just as it seemed that the two sides would head into halftime without scoring, Freiburg found an opportunity in the 69th minute. Michael Gregoritsch took advantage of the momentum shift and found the back of the net with a low shot, giving Batz no chance to save.
Mainz's Desperate Attempts
Mainz pressured hard in the second half, aiming to avoid an unpleasant consequence. Despite opportunities present, the teams went without a redemptive goal. Freiburg barely managed to escape their own half during this phase, unable to mount a coherent attack.
The Finishing Touch
With time running out, Gregoritsch delivered the winning blow to Mainz, leaving the 05ers reeling in despair. The Breisgau side held on to the lead, adding three more points to their collection.
Upcoming Clashes
Freiburg prepares for a home game against Werder Bremen on February 21, 2025, aiming for another victory. Meanwhile, Mainz is set to face St. Pauli at home on February 22, 2025, with expectations running high for them to secure another positive result.
Digging Deeper
- SC Freiburg currently resides in 5th place in the Bundesliga standings with 36 points from 22 games. Their recent victory against St. Pauli marks their third consecutive 1-0 win.
- Freiburg is also known for their remarkable defensive performance, especially in their victories against St. Pauli and Bochum. However, their woes continue with penalties, having missed six in the Bundesliga this season.
- FSV Mainz 05, on the other hand, sits 6th in the league standings with 35 points from their 22 games. Their nine-match unbeaten home run includes impressive wins against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
- Both teams demonstrate impressive forms in their recent outings, with Freiburg showcasing resilience and Mainz demonstrating consistency.
