Compensation at the very last moment
Mainz wrestled a point from Freiburg in the 96th minute
03/19/2023, 9:28 p.m
At the end of the 25th Bundesliga matchday, Freiburg benefited from a serious error in the Mainz defense. But the 05ers hit back in added time, equalizing in almost the last second. The SC still jumps to a Champions League place.
SC Freiburg put the end of Europe well away and, despite a last-minute goal conceded, regained a place in the Champions League in the Bundesliga. Three days after the emotional highlight in the Europa League against Juventus Turin (0:2), coach Christian Streich’s team lost their lead late, but the 1:1 (0:0) at the in-form FSV Mainz 05 was enough for the return rank four.
Ritsu Doan (55th) scored after a mistake by FSV goalkeeper Robin Zentner for the Breisgau team, who improved significantly in the second half and can continue to hope for a new start on the international stage next season. Karim Onisiwo (90th + 6th) secured a deserved point for Mainz. Both teams remained undefeated in the sixth league game in a row.
Streich decided not to rotate after the exhausting performance against Juventus, only Vincenzo Grifo replaced Lucas Höler in the second leg of the round of 16. However, Bo Svensson did not have high hopes for an ailing sports club. After all, the Freiburg team is like a “very well-oiled machine”, praised the FSV coach.
Freiburg lacks the liveliness
And there was initially no sign of a European hangover from Streich’s team in front of 26,800 fans. Freiburg started well, Kiliann Sildillia reported early in front of the goal (5th), but then got more and more problems in an intensive game with many midfield duels.
Freiburg lacked the necessary liveliness in a few moments, while Mainz, who quietly and secretly climbed towards the European Cup places, once again acted extremely energetically – and they created significantly better chances. Ludovic Ajorque was initially denied by the strong SC keeper Mark Flekken (9′), the Frenchman was just offside when he scored (18′).
It was only after the break that the guests reported back in the danger zone and benefited from a coordination error by FSV. Edimilson Fernandes shielded the ball, but Zentner hesitated – Doan thanked him with the opening goal. The goal gave Streich’s eleven strength again, and the sports club increasingly took control.
Svensson reacted from being behind and brought on goalscorer Onisiwo for Ingvartsen after the hour. But almost nothing went forward for the hosts. The SC now had the events largely under control and cleverly kept the opponent away from their own goal. Mainz’s final offensive seemed to fizzle out without effect when Onisiwo still scored on assist from Ajorque and let the home side celebrate at least one point with his ninth goal of the season.