SC Freiburg has ended its short negative series. Three days after the 5-0 win against Olympiakos Piraeus in the Europa League, coach Christian Streich’s team showed a largely weak performance in a 1-0 (0-0) draw against the strong FSV Mainz 05, but celebrated another victory after four league games without a win Three.
As in the European Cup on Thursday, Freiburg could rely on Michael Gregoritsch. The Austrian took the lead in the 70th minute and even scored a hat-trick against Piraeus – after a goal drought that lasted 719 minutes. While Freiburg stayed in touch with the international ranks with 18 points, Mainz suffered their first defeat in the fourth game under interim coach Jan Siewert and, as penultimate, are still deep in the table cellar with eight points.
After regular goalkeeper Robin Zentner’s finger injury, Siewert preferred Daniel Batz (32) in the Mainz goal – who had played his only Bundesliga game for Freiburg in 2012. In the initial phase he had little to do in front of 30,300 spectators. Mainz started aggressively and was aggressive in the duels, Freiburg made too many mistakes. A first good header chance from Ludovic Ajorque (4th) was greatly defused by SC keeper Noah Atubolu.
Mainz kept the pace high and the lead was in the air. Ajorque (17th) missed the great opportunity too carelessly, only a minute later Atubolu parried against Leandro Barreiro. Gradually, Freiburg also found their way into the game – and were unlucky that Gregoritsch only hit the post twice (27th/45th + 2). However, Mainz dominated the game. Only thanks to Atubolu, who saved brilliantly from Sepp van den Berg (45th + 6), Freiburg went into the break 0-0.
After the break the same picture emerged, the hosts pushing forward. Captain Silvan Widmer played Ajorque (52′) nicely free – but he was too surprised and didn’t put the ball on the empty goal. A Mainz lead would have been well deserved by now, the Rheinhessen impressed with their will, passion and enthusiasm. Freiburg usually just kept up – Gregoritsch’s goal was all the more surprising.