In a closely fought game Hoffenheim ran out 2-0 winners over FSV Mainz.
In the opening stages, the hosts look the likelier of opening the scoring; Eugen Polanski saw his shot blocked after five minutes. Then, Jin-Su Kim’s effort just missed the far post, an audacious effort from the full back. Three minutes after the South Korean’s effort, Kevin Volland met Sejad Salihovic’s cross but his header was brilliant saved by Loris Karius.
Mainz exchanged some pressure of their own, Niko Bungert couldn’t keep his header down from Johannes Geis’ delivery. Pablo De Blasis found Shinji Okazaki in the middle of the Hoffenheim area but he couldn’t direct his strike on target.
Sejad Salihovic’s left footed strike was again tremendously kept out by Karius shortly before the half an hour mark, from the rebound Rudy’s could only fire his effort into the advertising hoardings.
Schalke loanee Christian Clemens’ outstretched left footed effort was close but it could only trickle past the far left corner of Oliver Baumann’s post.
The two sides went in a the break goal less. Both sides created good enough chances to have a lead at the break but they were unable to find a break through at that stage.
The second half started fiercely, Yunus Malli’s shot was blocked before Christian Clemens forced Oliver Baumann into a great save, parrying his shot which look destined for the bottom right hand corner.
Then at the other end, Volland found Szalai who was denied by Karius once again.
Five minutes before the hour mark, a incisive counter attack from the hosts where Roberto Firmino found Kevin Volland in the penalty area and he slotted into the bottom right hand corner of Karius’ goal.
Mainz pressed for an equaliser, Shinji Okazaki’s couldn’t convert his left footed effort and Baumann picked up in the centre of the goal. Baumann prior to that made another vital save, this time from Niko Bungert who’s header was kept out in the bottom corner.
Fifteen minutes from time, Eugen Polanski came back to haunt his former side. His bullet header flew into the top corner of the goal from just six yards out, sealing all three points moving just two points off FC Augsburg in sixth.
