The fans of FSV Mainz 05, who traveled with them for the first time in a year and a half, danced happily in the guest block and chanted long before the final whistle: “Away win!” Coach Bo Svensson’s team gave the 650 supporters in the Sinsheim stadium a deserved 2-0 (1-0) at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday. It was the third Bundesliga success in a row for the zero five in Kraichgau. “There are four game days, there are 30 left to play. We shouldn’t even start celebrating,” said Svensson.
In front of only 8,427 spectators – including the new national coach Hansi Flick from nearby Bammental – U21 European champion Jonathan Burkhardt (21st minute) and Marcus Ingvartsen met just one minute after being substituted on (78th). In March of this year there was a 2: 1 for the FSV at Hoffenheim, in 2019 they even won 5: 1. The Mainz team expanded their strong start to the season to nine points from four games. It last started so well in 2013/14 when they qualified for the European Cup in seventh place. Across the seasons, the Rheinhessen only lost two of the last 15 league encounters.
“It will be interesting to see what else he will do with Mainz 05,” said sports director Martin Schmidt on the broadcasting broadcaster Sky about Svensson. The 42-year-old Dane first recalled the relegation battle in the previous round: “We were completely beaten nine months ago.” After their 2-2 draw against 1. FC Union Berlin on matchday two, Hoffenheim again failed to land a home win. Sebastian Hoeneß’s team disappointed playfully across the board. “I’m pissed off, I’m extremely pissed off that we presented ourselves like that,” said the TSG coach without further ado: “You can lose a Bundesliga game against Mainz, but the way you do it leaves me pissed off.”
“That’s why we brought him in,” said coach Svensson of his goalscorer Ingvartsen
The Kraichgauer started without the Austrian Christoph Baumgartner, who is well-worn from international matches, but with the Bayern loan from Chris Richards, who was brought back shortly before the end of the transfer. The 21-year-old American was equally challenged in central defense alongside Kevin Vogt. The Mainz team was happy to take a lot of time when the game was interrupted, but when things got ahead, they stepped on the gas. So Richard was lucky that referee Marco Fritz did not punish a foul by him on Leandro Barreiro in a counterattack (15th).
While the Hoffenheim team barely found each other at the front and also poorly in the duels, the Rheinhessen then really struck: After a bad pass from Jacob Bruun Larsen, Dominik Kohr put Burkardt in the limelight and the 21-year-old gave Baumann no chance. The net playing time remained manageable with many interruptions. Captain Baumann was also infected by the general uncertainty of Hoffenheim when he kicked a ball in the head of the surprised Karim Onisiwo.
The substitutes Baumgartner, Pavel Kaderabek and Florian Grillitsch were also able to help their team a lot. Before TSG wanted to start a final offensive, Ingvartsen, who had come from Union Berlin, decided the game 2-0. “That is the reason why we brought him in. Already during the training sessions you could see that he simply has these goals,” said Svensson.