9. Expulsion for 05 professional
©IMAGO
TSG Hoffenheim with jubilee Oliver Baumann missed out on their fifth win in a row in the Bundesliga. Coach Christian Ilzer’s team scored 1-1 (1-0) at the start of the eleventh matchday against 1. FSV Mainz 05. National goalkeeper Baumann made his 500th appearance in the upper house in front of 34,000 spectators – and Dominik Kohr set a new league record with his ninth dismissal.
A header own goal from Andreas Hanche-Olsen (9th minute) led to an early deficit for the struggling Mainz team, who have not been able to win the last seven games. Substitute Danny da Costa secured a point for the hosts with a stunning goal (76th).
The Bundesliga weekend began with fan protests in Mainz. Posters with slogans such as “Stop totalitarian madness” and “Against general suspicion” hung in the arena. The actions are directed against the politicians’ planned security measures in German stadiums and are scheduled to continue on Saturday and Sunday.
The first goal chance of the game could not have been more emblematic of the current situation of the two clubs: Mainz central defender Hanche-Olsen directed a cross from Wouter Burger into his own goal from around 14 meters. Goalkeeper Robin Zentner was surprised by his Norwegian teammate’s faux pas.
Hoffenheim had more of the game immediately afterwards and, apart from a shot from Fisnik Asllani (15th), barely managed to finish. The Mainz team, on the other hand, seemed far too predictable. The midfield around Nadiem Amiri and Paul Nebel can currently make no impact, nor can the fast offensive player Benedict Hollerbach, who was expected to make a big breakthrough before the season. But this time Hollerbach was one of the better ones.
The Mainz team, who are still flawless in the Conference League, are still missing a real awakening experience in the national competition. While everything seems to be going well in Europe, coach Bo Henriksen’s team seems inhibited – and unlucky – in the Bundesliga. Mainz were last victorious in the league over two months ago in Augsburg.
After the break, the hosts increased the pressure and achieved better goals. Hollerbach (55th) and winger Phillipp Mwene (58th) finished in promising positions, but missed. The game became more rapid in the final phase and TSG also missed opportunities to make a preliminary decision. When Joker da Costa leveled the ball, it was long overdue after a period of pressure from Mainz.