Lukas Kubler scores late as Freiburg and Mainz draw in Champions League Battle #2610
Freiburg 2 FSV Mainz 2FT
On Saturday afternoon in the cold, we would have one of the biggest matches of the weekend. Only 9 Bundesliga matches are remaining in this season. We would see a battle between a pair of Champions League contenders. As Bo Hendrickson's Mainz hosts Julian Schuster's Freiburg. as we are in the wonderful City of Mainz a place that has a lot to offer it may not be the popular City in Germany for tourists but still has plenty to enjoy. Such as Worms Located along the Upper Rhine one of Germany’s most history-saturated cities with origins dating to ancient times. Visit to see its religious landmarks, including the Romanesque Worms Cathedral, Jewish Cemetery, and Luther Monument. In addition to that they have the historical Mainz Cathedral Nicknamed “Cathedral Mountain” by locals, Mainz Cathedral is an imposing sight. Easily mistaken for a royal palace or a Disney castle, it’s a feast of eye-catching red sandstone topped with a bell tower and a trio of fairy-tale turrets. Inspired by Rome’s St Peter’s Cathedral, the landmark is an important center of worship and a historic monument. Finally, Lorelei Rock (Loreley Rock) A riverside highlight, Loreley Rock is one of the Rhine’s most storied landmarks. Today, the promontory is a popular sightseeing stop at the MEWNA ARENA. We have a parallel of one of the most important clashes in the Champions race. This campaign as the season slowly starts to wind down. FSV Mainz has been the story of the season. Despite not having a formidable budget or a lot of resources, they have been sensational. They have taken down some of the biggest clubs in Germany this season. They have won four matches in a row as they are showing tantalizing form and they have their eye on them that Champions League spot this season. We have seen the rebirth of Jordan Burkhart as he has led the line with 15 goals this season. Paul Nebel has a breakout season in his own right and then the consistent playmaking from Jae Sung Lee as they are an incredibly well-balanced side that has an identity that has kept them within reach of the improbable champion belief spot. Last weekend in another European clash they took a 3-1 victory against Gladbach at Borussia Park. They can be a nightmare to play against, although they will have an obstacle in front of them as the ones from the Black Forest come to town. Julian Schuster has done a tremendous job at Freiburg this season. He replaced a legend and has only taken them forward. They have consistently displayed encouraging performances throughout the season. They have been much improved since last season. Freiburg failed to qualify for Europe last season finishing 10th. However, this season under Julian Schuster they have taken a huge step forward. The home side possesses a lot of key pieces that can make things difficult on the visitors. However, the lads from the Black Forest have one of the best duos in the Bundesliga as the key difference Makers for Freiburg continue to be Doan and Vincenzo Grifo. What we would have on Saturday afternoon in the rain is two competitors for the Champions League setting the stage for a stunning clash between Bo Hendrickson's Mainz and Julian Schuster's Freiburg as kickoff awaits at the MEWNA ARENA.
As the match got underway it became clear from the beginning that we had two opposites. Freiburg thrives on high possession and an abundance of opportunities. Meanwhile, Mainz is perfectly willing to surrender the ball and deliver on the low volume of chances. In the opening minutes, we saw exactly what we thought we were going to see. Of Freiburg pushing the tempo very early on. A significant advantage in possession at Freiburg looked to make the home side uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Mainz Sat back preparing to defend before they saw a green light on the counter. In the 4th minute, Ritsu Doan follows through on a strike from outside the box as it smashes into the teeth of the defense. Freiburg only built on an early start. In the 7th minute, Christian Gunter retrieved the ball from the left of the box. He whips around a pile driver that flies around the corner. In the 9th minute Kiliann Sildillia since a well-timed delivery at the side of the box. Junior Adamu gets on the end of it as he drives his header around the corner. This would only continue as the minutes would take on in the early part of the First path. In the 14th minute, Ritsu Doan made his run down the side again. He makes his way down the right side of the box as he strikes the ball on the right side poking around the near post as he's unable to capitalize there. However, it does seem as if the visitors have started strongly. In the 22nd minute, Ritsu Doan strikes the ball into the teeth of the defense as it runs into traffic Maximilian Eggestein Hits the follow-up and he drives her right back into the defense as they get in the way of it yet again. In the 23rd minute, Mainz finally got themselves into action Paul Nebel delivered a ball into the area Anthony Caci picked it up on the right side He lifted it towards the corner but it just curled over the right side. In the 33rd minute, Maximilian Eggestein gets it into Matthias Ginter as he drives his foot against it into the defense. Freiburg repossesses the ball Killian Sildillia sends in a delivery as he hits in the cross Matthias Ginter is the intended target again as he takes another strike on goal that ends up blocked Maximilian Eggestein then follows up with a strike on the first touch as it flies over the goal. Freiburg has been disruptive however the home side has been more than accustomed to it. In 34th minute Anthony Caci sends a cross coming down the right side Jordan Burkhart makes a run down the left as he sticks his foot out as the ball comes through. He drives it into the bottom left corner FSV Mainz takes a 1-0 lead. An excellently Crafted goal as Burkhart scores his 15th of the season. Freiburg defensively should have watched that left side much better than now despite dominating. In the 43rd minute Freiburg got on the attack Lucas Höler was fouled by Dominik Kohr. It was a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity as it was near the box, even possibly a penalty. As expected he was sent off with a red card. Freiburg after a video review ends up getting themselves a free kick as opposed to a penalty. Vincenzo Grifo their free kick specialist steps up as the ball is placed just on the line of the 18-yard box sending it towards the top of the goal Robin Zentner pushes it over. As Freiburg comes very close. In stoppage time, Christian Gunter puts it through the air with the cross Junior Adamu gets on the end of it. His header is well placed just splits over the left side. The first half would come to a close as Jordan Burkhart's strike gave FSV Mainz hold a 1-0 lead.
This is exactly why they are so annoying to play against. Freiburg threw the first 45 minutes have been significant. The better team they've dominated the ball They have generated several chances and on a few times they were inches away from possibly scoring themselves. However, on only their second chance of the game, Mainz crafts an excellent goal as Jordan Burkhart gets on the end of it they find themselves in front when truly they should be behind. In the 53rd minute. Danny Da Costa gets them going on. The counter intact sends a pass out to his left side. Jordan Burkhart rips an effort from well outside the box. Freiburg comes down the other end Ritsu Doan once again, as the primary difference maker this evening facilitates a cross into the box Michael Gregoritsch gets his head on the end of it as Robin Zentner makes the big save. Maximilian Eggestein picks up the rebound as he Rams the strike into the defense. Freiburg almost makes it happen there but not quite. Off the corner in the 55th minute, Matthias Ginter gets his head on the end of it but the center-back can't quite pick out the moment as he drags it just wide to the post. In the 57th minute, Jordan Burkhart would look to hit back again. He rips a strong effort from distance Noah Atubolu makes a big-time stop. However, eventually, the lads from the Black Forest would break through the glass ceiling. In the 58th minute. Christian Gunter sends a cross into the box Michael Gregoritsch is bursting forward as he's making a run. The ball comes across the top he rises as the Austrian puts his head through it, sending it into the back of the net. I accidentally executed header as Freiburg has leveled things here 1-1. In the 62nd minute they looked to capitalize through the air again Christian Gunter provides another ball into the box Lucas Höler gets his head on the end of it as Robin Zentner makes the save. Patrick Osterhage Hits the follow-up Robin Zentner is there again as he makes another stop. The onslaught would only continue. In the 64th minute, Doan delivers a dime piece into the area Lucas Höler comes sword again as he connects on the header. It flies into the hands of Robin Zentner as they have somehow still found themselves level. In the 68th minute, Vincenzo Grifo stings one from outside the box as he follows through Robin Zentner tracks the ball well to make the save. Freiburg finds things difficult despite the amount of chances they have created. They're still having some problems getting it across the line. Mainz finally starts to pick up some action again. In the 69th minute, Lee picks out a pass for Anthony Caci He strikes at the side of the box Noah Atubolu makes the safe. Anthony Caci On the follow-up, drives it into the defense. In the 74th minute. Believe it or not, the home side despite having been stuck back in their box, has found a ball through. Anthony Caci puts a ball into an area as it manages to squeak through Andreas Hanche-Olsen with power, and rips it through the bottom left corner remarkably Mainz has taken a 2-1 lead. In the 77th minute they would look to kill it off Nadiem Amiri strikes from outside the box as he misses the mark. In the 79th minute we would have a cinematic response Ritsu Doan has been the facilitator and the best playmaker on the pitch as we approach the last 10 minutes he finally found himself an answer. The Japanese international sends an excellent ball into the box. Lucas Kubler makes a run towards the back post. He strikes with power from inside the box right in front of the goal as he slots it into the back of the net as Freiburg levels it again 2-2. In the 90 minutes, Freiburg got themselves forward On the counterattack with one last roll of the dice. Ritsu Doan sends a ball over to his left Michael Gregoritsch gets behind it. He strikes sending a missile towards the top right corner. However, the ball at the very end disperses wide as the Austrian striker can't believe it as he looks on bemused at Freiburg thinks they had the winner there. The referee would blow his whistle shortly after as Freiburg & FSV Mainz played out and exhilarating 2-2 draw.
Freiburg does come out of this coming across as the better side through the 90 minutes. This match was incredibly well-balanced in a lot of ways, however, Mainz was quite fortunate that they were not beaten. Freiburg displayed a level of resiliency during the last final moments and on top of that They nearly could have won it at the death after getting the equalizer at the very end. What we saw between the two sides is what we got. These are opposites in a lot of ways. Then on top of that Freiburg created a lot for themselves. Was probably for my money. The better team throughout the 90 minutes in the second half when things were level it looked like they were going to score and win the game. Both sides played their game plan to almost perfection. Freiburg relied on Doan a ton. He was the vocal point of the performance and honestly was the most impressive player on the pitch on Saturday afternoon. For the home side, Robin Zentner was exceptional. They have a three-point advantage in front of the next three. For Freiburg they are currently in 6th in a three-way tie on 42 points with Leipzig and Frankfort. As the race for the final Champions League spot continues we could see many possibilities. Mainz has not been beaten by any of the elite teams this season. For the most part. They will give another spin of the dice next weekend as they travel to Dortmund to look to sweep the black and yellow. Meanwhile, Freiburg Will have a very solid opportunity to take another three points as they will be at home against Union Berlin. At the final whistle, we saw a true battle between two Champions League contenders with Freiburg & Mainz ending in a 2-2 draw at the MEWA Arena.
