05ers crash out against Hertha BSC in the second round of the DFB-Pokal

1. FSV Mainz 05 are out of the DFB-Pokal after falling to defeat in the second round. The 05ers deservedly lost 3-0 to second-division side Hertha BSC on Wednesday evening. Mainz’s hopes of progressing were torn to shreds by two penalties for Hertha just before and just after the break as the visitors put in a performance that was devoid of ideas, whilst almost making numerous errors in the crucial moments. The 05ers were unfortunate not to go ahead in the first half when Leandro Barreiro hit the bar, but FSV failed to create any more notable goalscoring opportunities in the second half. Following Hertha’s third goal, Mainz no longer seemed to have the capability to turn the game around on this bitter evening. 

The 05ers’ head coach Bo Svensson made four changes to his starting line-up from last Friday’s league game away at VfL Bochum. Aymen Barkok, Jae-sung Lee, last-minute goalscorer Tom Krauß and Josuha Guilavogui, who was making his first competitive start for the club, came into the side in place of Sepp van den Berg, Ludovic Ajorque, Danny da Costa and Dominik Kohr, whilst Stefan Bell was missing from the matchday squad due to problems with his Achilles tendon. 

Hertha take the lead shortly before the break

Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the 05ers started the game on the front foot. Barkok made a run towards Hertha’s goal just 90 seconds into the game and his run was halted just before he was about to unleash a shot in the penalty area. Edi Fernandes whipped the following corner towards the front post, but Maxim Leitsch was unable to direct the ball towards goal with his header. FSV started the game in tidy fashion, whilst Hertha pressed high and looked to assert themselves offensively whilst in possession, but they rarely managed to do so. Anthony Caci had another good opportunity after a long throw-in from Brajan Gruda was flicked on with his head by Lee, but his effort flew over the bar in the ninth minute. The hosts then focused on making the most of dangerous opportunities to counter quickly down the flanks. The agile Fabian Reese found his teammate Marten Winkler with a ball into the box from the left after capitalising on a Mainz error in their build-up play, but the Hertha attacker was unable to put his side ahead as he missed the ball with Mainz’s goal gaping (10’). Robin Zentner was called into action for the first time five minutes later as he got down low to make the save from Winkler’s effort from the right-hand side of the area. The visitors began to find things more difficult after the opening phase of the game as the hosts became increasingly braver in attack.

Subsequently, both sides struggled to create clear goalscoring opportunities in a balanced encounter, with neither side having as much success in attack as they did in the first quarter of an hour. It took another long throw from Gruda and a bit of luck for Mainz to carve out their biggest chance of the whole game. Karim Onisiwo managed to get a touch on the ball about six yards out from goal and set up Barreiro, who shot against the bar from close range (30’). However, a lapse in concentration from Guilavogui gave Hertha another chance to go ahead before the break. Mainz’s centre-back misjudged a long ball towards Haris Tabakovic, with the Hertha attacker unable to beat Zentner from a tight angle (42’). The single minute of additional time had already elapsed as Winkler sent another ball into the box. Leitsch was then late with his challenge on former 05er Florian Niederlechner and Reese put his side 1-0 up seconds before the break with the subsequent penalty. Overall, FSV lacked a plan in attack in the first half and whilst they were unlucky with Barreiro’s effort that hit the woodwork, it couldn’t be said that Hertha didn’t deserve their lead. 

Another penalty shortly after the break

Neither side made any changes at half-time, as Mainz's run of bad luck continued. Referee Dr. Matthias Jöllenbeck pointed to the spot and awarded the hosts another penalty in the 50th minute after the ball bounced off Gruda's arm. Tabaković stepped up and converted Hertha's second spot-kick of the night to make it 2-0.  Svensson reacted with a triple substitution, bringing on Ludovic Ajorque in attack, Marco Richter in midfield and Sepp van den Berg at centre-back, in place of Barkok, Lee and Leitsch. The hosts were the better side at this stage of the match, upping the pressure on the Zerofivers and being rewarded with their third goal of the night. Jonjoe Kenny was able to get off a cross from the right-hand side, with Tabaković netting a free header at the back post to complete his brace (61').

FSV were undone after conceding for the third time and no longer appeared capable of turning the game around. The Zerofivers weren't effective enough in attack and lacked precision in their passes. Svensson made his final changes in the 70th minute, bringing on Dominik Kohr and Danny da Costa for Barreiro and Fernandes. Hertha controlled the ball in the final stages of the match, preferring to see the result over the line instead of taking any risks. The final whistle blew on a deserved 3-0 win for the Berliners, ending Mainz's cup run.

The Zerofivers now turn their attention back to the Bundesliga, where they will host RB Leipzig on Saturday, 4th November.

DFB-POKAL, Second Round:
 HERTHA BSC 3-0 1. FSV MAINZ 05

Mainz 05: Zentner - Fernandes (70’ da Costa), Guilavogui, Leitsch (58’ van den Berg), Caci - Barreiro (70’ Kohr), Krauß - Barkok (58’ Richter), Lee (58’ Ajorque) , Gruda - Onisiwo

Hertha BSC: Ernst - Kenny, Kempf, Leistner, Winkler (85’ Christensen), Zeefuik, Dárdai (75’ Bouchalakis), Klemens (90’ Gechter), Reese, Niederlechner (75’ Scherhant), Tabakovic

Goals: 1-0 Reese (45+1’ (Pen)), 2-0 & 3-0 Tabakovic (50’ (Pen) & 61’) 

Attendance: 29,621