Hoffenheim's home weakness continues: Only 1:1 against Mainz 05
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have once again revealed their weakness at home in the Bundesliga. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo's team were held to a 1:1 (0:1) draw against relegation-threatened FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday and have celebrated just one win in six appearances at the Sinsheim stadium so far this first half of the season. Interim coach Jan Siewert picked up his fifth point in his third game in charge of the visitors, further strengthening his case for a permanent role. However, the Rheinhessen side are still waiting for their second win of the season.
In front of 22,000 spectators, Marco Richter (39th minute) scored his first goal for FSV to give them the lead. Robert Skov (49) equalized for the Kraichgauers. TSG goalkeeper Oliver Baumann saved at least a point for the home side when he saved a penalty from Aymen Barkok (69).
Loud music blared from the Hoffenheim team bus as it pulled into the stadium - on the pitch, the TSG professionals led by ex-Mainzer Anton Stach and DFB squad newcomer Grischa Prömel had to search for their rhythm for a long time. The cleverly organized Mainz team kept their penalty area clear until the speedy Maximilian Beier got into a shooting position for the first time after just over 20 minutes, but failed to score from an acute angle and shortly afterwards from a turn.
Otherwise, too many mistakes crept into the hosts' mostly uninspired play to put the visitors in trouble. Suddenly, Mainz took the lead when Edimilson Fernandes broke through the TSG defense with a long pass on the left and Richter rushed up and shot past Oliver Baumann. Shortly afterwards, the Hoffenheim keeper prevented Barkok from making it 2-0.
In a wild scene just before the break, Hoffenheim missed five chances to equalize - including Marius Bülter heading against the post. Mainz, whose squad was decimated, at least had their captain Silvan Widmer available for the first time after five months out of action. The sorely missed attacker Jonathan Burkardt made his comeback as a substitute after a one-year injury break due to bone marrow edema in his knee and two operations.
Matarazzo then revitalized the home side with three changes. Joker Pavel Kaderabek delivered a long cross to Skov, who was left alone and shot in to make it 1:1. The game then went back and forth. Following a video review, referee Deniz Aytekin awarded a penalty after Jae Sujng Lee was hit in the penalty area. But Baumann dived into the right corner for Barkok's shot. The TSG captain was extremely lucky when Richter struck the crossbar twice from free kicks in the closing stages to prevent Mainz from scoring the winner.
Despite the loud celebration music in the Hoffenheim team bus, their home struggles persisted in the Bundesliga. TSG 1899 Hoffenheim faced FSV Mainz 05, with the visitors looking to secure their second win of the season. Despite Marco Richter scoring the opening goal for Mainz, Robert Skov equalized for Hoffenheim, keeping the home side's winless streak at home in six games alive.
Source: www.dpa.com
