FSV fail to take their chances and fall to defeat against SC Freiburg

1. FSV Mainz 05 suffered a bitter and avoidable 1-0 loss against SC Freiburg on Sunday afternoon – their first defeat in Jan Siewert’s fourth game as head coach. The 05ers created numerous good chances in both halves and dominated the majority of a hard-fought game at the MEWA ARENA, but they didn’t convert any of these opportunities. SC were able to celebrate a win at full-time due to FSV’s inability to defend a long throw-in. Michael Gregoritsch, who was denied by the woodwork twice in the first half, scored the only goal of the game after 70 minutes as he put away one of Freiburg’s few chances in the second half. 

The 05ers made three changes from last weekend. Daniel Batz made his debut in goal for Mainz as he replaced Robin Zentner, who was ruled out as a result of bone damage to his finger. Brajan Gruda came into the starting eleven in place of Aymen Barkok, whilst Sepp van den Berg replaced Edimilson Fernandes in central defence. The Swiss defender picked up a thigh injury in Mainz’s final training session.

FSV dominate in the opening stages, Freiburg hit the post twice

As was the case a week ago, the 05ers set up with a back four in front of Batz, with Leandro Barreiro and Tom Krauß starting together in defensive midfield. Jae-sung Lee, Marco Richter, Brajan Gruda and Ludovic Ajorque made up Mainz’s attack. FSV took control of the game from the outset. The hosts moved the ball around well, whilst they also had the first chance of the game. Richter picked out Ajorque with his cross from the left, but SCF’s goalkeeper Atubolu was able to keep Ajorque’s header out (3’). Just three minutes later, Gruda and Lee took too long to get a shot off when they were in a promising position. The players on the pitch hardly gave the spectators any time to breathe and produced an intense, fast-paced and watchable game at the MEWA ARENA on Sunday afternoon. FSV continued to apply the pressure in the opening quarter of an hour and pushed for the opening goal. Gruda picked up the ball on the right-hand side and found Barreiro just inside the penalty area, but his effort was blocked. Widmer’s cut back then fell to Richter, but his shot went narrowly wide of the left post (11’).

The visitors had to wait for their first dangerous attacking opportunity as FSV defended high up the pitch and implemented a strong counter-press. Meanwhile, Freiburg’s best performer in the opening stages was their goalkeeper. Initially, Atubolu was not forced into a save when Ajorque had a big chance as the Frenchman put his effort over the bar from close range. However, the Germany U21 international was called into action immediately afterwards as he came out on top in a one-on-one against Barreiro (17’). Batz then made his first save of the game after 22 minutes. Ritsu Doan dribbled past a couple of players on the right-hand side, but Mainz’s goalkeeper was able to turn his effort behind for a corner without too much trouble. At the other end, it was once again the eye-catching Richter who tested Atubolu, but SCF’s goalkeeper was able to keep out his strike. FSV had had the better chances, but Mainz had the woodwork to thank that it remained 0-0 after 27 minutes. After a long ball from Kiliann Sildillia and Merlin Röhl’s lay-off, Michael Gregoritsch had the chance to shoot in the middle of the box. The ball struck the post and then came off Batz’s back, before Phillipp Mwene was able to clear the danger. An even game with lots of individual duels and stoppages now developed, whilst neither side had further clear cut chances in the first half until additional time. The game then picked up pace again. Batz and Caci failed to deal with a cross from Weißhaupt, with Gregoritsch’s header striking the outside of the post. Shortly afterwards, FSV had another chance as van den Berg rose highest from a corner, but he missed the target with his header. Both teams went into the break with the score level at 0-0 in an entertaining game that had deserved goals. 

Lots of effort from Mainz, but Freiburg score

The second half started in the same fashion as the first half. Both FSV as well as Freiburg had good chances early on. First, Maximilian Eggestein had a good chance (50’) following a long throw-in and a headed flick-on from Gregoritsch, whilst Ajorque then failed to make a proper connection with the ball from close range following good work from Gruda in the build-up. The 05ers were now the more purposeful side, pressing well and putting the visitors under pressure high up the pitch, whilst they were now also winning more individual duels and getting into dangerous positions again and again. The only thing missing for FSV was the opening goal. There was an emotional moment as Jonny Burkardt came on to make his first appearance at home since his injury after 65 minutes, with the stadium getting even louder. The attacker came on in place of Richter and brought added dynamism to Mainz’s attack. 

The 05ers hadn’t allowed the visitors to have an attempt at goal for twenty minutes, but SCF went ahead with their second attempt of the half. Once again, it was a long throw, which was flicked on by Röhl and not properly defended by FSV, that was the hosts’ undoing. Gregoritsch picked up the pieces and left Batz with no chance with his low strike (70’). In the final quarter of an hour, substitute Karim Onisiwo and Ajorque played together up front, whilst Aymen Barkok took up his place on the right flank. Whilst the visitors were now primarily focused on staying disciplined in defence, the 05ers continued to press forward, but they didn’t manage to get into dangerous positions on such a regular basis. Rolland Sallai had the opportunity to double Freiburg’s lead following a counterattack, but he was unable to take this chance. FSV threw everything at SCF during six minutes of additional time, but unfortunately they didn’t have luck on their side today. For instance, Barreiro was ready to pull the trigger following a Barkok corner when he was denied by a last-gasp intervention by Höfler. There were no further goals, with FSV falling to a 1-0 defeat.

Mainz are back in action on Sunday 10th December as they take on 1. FC Köln away from home at 17:30 CET in a relegation clash.

1. FSV MAINZ 05 0-1 SC FREIBURG 

Mainz 05: Batz - Widmer (86’ Da Costa), van den Berg, Caci, Mwene - Krauß (86’ Kohr), Barreiro - Richter (65’ Burkardt), Lee (76’ Barkok), Gruda (76’ Onisiwo) - Ajorque

SC Freiburg: Atubolu - Sildillia, Ginter (24’ Gulde), Lienhart, Makengo - Höfler, Eggestein - Weißhaupt (59’ Höler), Doan - Röhl, Gregoritsch