10,000 fans provided a raucous atmosphere at the Europa-Park Stadion as SCF prepared to host 1. FSV Mainz 05. Head coach Christian Streich made two changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Roland Sallai for Kevin Schade at right wing and Wooyeong Jeong for Ermedin Demirovic. Jeong was involved in orchestrating the first Freiburg attack, as he won the ball in his own area and passed it to Christian Günter. However, there was no one inside the FSV box to get on the end of his pass. Anton Stach then took a shot from range for the visitors, but it was deflected away from goal (4’).

The match featured a high intensity right from the start, with plenty of quick counters on both sides, just as Christian Streich had expected. Mainz pressured the SC defence hard, but were unable to create any big chances in the opening 10 minutes. In the 13th minute, Sallai attempted an acrobatic scissor kick but wasn’t rewarded for his efforts. Mainz then looked threatening just minutes later, as Mark Flekken was forced to react quickly to deny Jonathan Burkardt on a one-on-one. He then parried a free kick from Stach to keep the match deadlocked.

Mainz take the lead

Streich’s instructions from the sidelines became increasingly louder as the half hour mark approached. Mainz were dominating the game, breaking up SCF’s attacks early on and creating chances for themselves. In the 22nd minute, they let loose another shot from a tight angle inside the box. Vincenzo Grifo then had the idea to flick a header on to Lucas Höler, but his shot sailed wide of the target. In the 30th minute, it was Mainz who would take the lead. Flekken was able to make the initial save, but the ball fell to Alexander Hack’s feet inside the box, as he poked home the opener. SCF could have equalised just minutes later, but Grifo’s free kick sailed just over the bar from 18 metres out.

The goal changed the flow of the game somewhat, as Mainz settled back in defence and allowed SCF more room on the pitch to create chances. Höler’s shot from inside the areas wasn’t enough to trouble Zentner, and another Grifo free kick lacked the precision to land on target. Mainz also remained a threat, as Burkardt rounded the keeper and then missed from close range.

Lots of pace after the break

After the change of ends, Grifo had another chance from a free kick from just outside the area. It was blocked by the wall, as Lukas Kübler’s rebound went wide of goal. SCF came out of the break with plenty of energy, restricting Mainz to their own half and having a golden opportunity to score in the 51st minute. Sallai was through on goal, but Robin Zentner was able to keep his nerves and make the save. With the crowd roaring them on, SC continued to search for an equaliser. Sallai’s shot was blocked (54’), before Höler’s header flew over the bar minutes later.

As the hour mark came and went, Mainz continued to do what they have been doing so well all season long: defend well and look to counter quickly after winning the ball. SC had the bulk of possession and tried to find ways to break through this compact Mainz defence. Streich then brought on Nils Petersen, Kevin Schade and Janik Haberer, and it didn’t take long for Freiburg’s record goalscorer off the bench to do what he does best. Just a minute after coming on, Petersen redirected a corner into the back of the net to draw level (69’).

Freiburg were hungry for the win, but weren’t able to create any more clear-cut chances on goal. Mainz continued to pose a threat on the counter, but also weren’t able to create anything else, as the game ended with each side taking home a point.

Photo: Achim Keller