Mainz were held to a goalless draw by Tayfun Korkut’s Hannover side on Sunday, as both sides made it two without loss to the Bundesliga season.
It was a great point for Die Roten, who took nine games to register a point away from home last season, and now leaves them on four points after an impressive opening day win versus Schalke. The home side will be less happy with the result though, they won 10 of their 17 home games last year, and would’ve hoped to kick-off with one this season too.
0-0 was the last scoreline on the cards after a thrilling start, and the hosts went closest early on when Moritz beat Zieler with a header only to see it fall the wrong side of the post. Johannes Geis then tried his luck from long range, only to see the ball fly harmlessly off-target, as they struggled to break through a resolute Hannover defence. It was the story of the first half, two defences that were almost impenetrable, meaning any efforts on goal came from at least 25 yards. The 0-Fives sat back midway through the first half, and Albornoz followed by Bittencourt tried their luck from range, but failed to work Karius in the Mainz goal.
Baumgartlinger nearly broke the deadlock before half-time, and in truth should’ve done, though when Okazaki found him in space with a pinpoint cross, his volley flew wide of the post with Zieler well beaten. 96 started the better after the break, and nearly broke the deadlock but for a superb block. Kiyotake, a summer signing from Nurnburg, turned exquisitely on the edge of the box before launching a great shot that beat Karius, only to be blocked by Moritz on the line.
As time ticked on, it seemed both sides would settle for the draw, as fewer risks were taken by both managers, wary that any goal would result in victory at this point. Joselu still had time to nearly snatch that win, when Artur Sobiech played a perfect ball through the Mainz defence, but the Spaniard could only fire wide with the outside of his foot. Christoph Moritz was always amongst the action and after his goal-saving block earlier, it would’ve been fitting that he scored the winner, and he had that chance late on. The 24 year old collected the ball in acres of space on the edge of the area, but his shot was wayward and ended up in the stands rather than the net.
The draw adds to a frustrating start to the season for Hjulmand’s side – after a DFB Pokal loss, and having to score a last gasp goal on the opening day to draw at Bundesliga new boys Paderborn.
