Streich feels provoked
Mainz gets an important point in Freiburg, coaches are worried
April 21, 2024, 9:31 p.m
After winning a point against Mainz, the Freiburg sports club continues to dream of Europe and the FSV dreams of staying in the league. For the first time since the second matchday, the team is no longer in one of the bottom three places. The two coaches Streich and Henriksen engage in an emotional duel.
For the first time since the second matchday, FSV Mainz 05 is not in one of the bottom three places and can dream more than ever of staying in the Bundesliga. Rheinhessen, who have been in strong form for weeks, drew 1-1 (1-1) at SC Freiburg. Jonathan Burkardt (40th) scored for coach Bo Henriksen’s team, which has not lost in five games and scored 11 of the 15 possible points during this period. Although Mainz have been waiting for an away win for more than a year, they climbed to 15th place. FSV overtook VfL Bochum, with the same number of points, due to the better goal difference.
The Breisgauer team, for whom Michael Gregoritsch (6th) was successful, have now been waiting for a home win for six matches. However, outgoing coach Christian Streich’s team is still in the race for a place in the European Cup in seventh place. “It’s a bit tricky. I actually have to score a second goal,” said Gregoritsch on DAZN: “In the end the 1-1 is okay.” In Burkardt’s view, too, “we have to be satisfied.”
“We have to hunt, hunt, hunt”
“The intensity will be very important. We want to show presence,” said Streich shortly before kick-off at DAZN: “We have to fully resist it.” His counterpart had similar plans. “We have to hunt, hunt, hunt,” emphasized Henriksen: “The mood is very good, I have a good feeling.”
The 34,300 spectators didn’t have to wait long for the first goal. Gregoritsch headed a cross from Ritsu Doan. With his seventh goal of the season, the Austrian continued his strange series: in his three games in the SC jersey against Mainz, Gregoritsch was involved in all four Freiburg goals (two goals, two assists). Despite the early deficit, the Mainz team, who were missing Stefan Bell, Maxim Leitsch and Jessic Ngankam, did not seem shocked. The guests pushed hard for the equalizer. Dominik Kohr had the goal with an artificial shot (19th).
Assistant has to mediate several times
The hosts, who had to do without Matthias Ginter, Philipp Lienhart and the suspended Roland Sallai, among others, had almost nothing going on the offensive. That changed after about half an hour. Gregoritsch should have scored again, but FSV goalkeeper Robin Zentner made an outstanding save (29′).
Four minutes later it was SC keeper Noah Atubolu who had to save against Burkardt. In the 39th minute, FSV top talent Brajan Gruda narrowly missed the Freiburg goal. Seconds later, Burkardt did better after work from Anthony Caci. It was Burkardt’s sixth goal of the season. The draw at the break was well deserved for Mainz. The initial phase of the second half belonged to Mainz, but Gregoritsch missed the best chance in this phase (58th). After that, not much happened for a long time.
Meanwhile, the far more emotional duel took place on the sidelines. Christian Streich and Henriksen repeatedly had loud discussions. Freiburg’s coach clearly audibly accused his counterpart of provoking him several times. Assistant referee Florian Badstübner had to intervene several times to mediate the situation.