Two points dropped

Hoffenheim have become famous for goals around Europe and with only two changes, Salihovic replaced by Rudy and Jeremy Toljan in for the injured Johnson, they were looking to score even more away in Mainz. But the hosts, who have lost their last five consecutive games, were the better to start and were unfortunate not to have won a penalty when David Abraham tangled with Niki Zimling.

Hoffenheim responded. Minutes after Tarik Elyounoussi curled an effort onto the bar, Kevin Volland went on a mazy run before hitting a dipping, near-post shot that beat Heinz Müller for pace and put Markus Gisdol's side ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour. The visitors' good feeling was cut short when top scorer Anthony Modeste was substituted off with an injury (Sven Schipplock), but only temporarily as the substitute assisted the second goal with his first few touches. His run down the wing was followed by a through ball for Roberto Firmino who dinked the ball just over the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

Lightning start fades

After conceding two goals from two clinical passages of play, Mainz dug in and evened the game of possession back out. Despite their determination, the home side struggled to find that key pass as Hoffenheim's defence stood firm. Ten minutes into the second half and the story was much the same: The home side were battling bravely but Hoffenheim continued to be well-positioned, David Abraham flinging himself in front of Zimling's half-volley was the best example of that.

As the 70-minute mark approached, Mainz's pressure increased and Hoffenheim knew they were in for a tough finale. Koen Casteels made a smart save to deny Müller as the home fans urged their team towards goal. Nine minutes from time, they pulled one back. Substitute Eric Choupo-Moting volleyed home at the back post from a Johannes Geis first-time cross.

Late Müller magic downs TSG in the rain

As the minutes ticked down, TSG grew increasingly nervous. Substitute Shawn Parker thought he had equalised but was correctly ruled out for offside, before Müller drilled a bouncing shot past the far post. In injury time, with almost the final kick of the game, Hoffenheim threw away two points as Mainz equalised in dramatic fashion. A corner was headed on by the advanced Heinz Müller, Beck failed to clear and Noveski clipped in.

A point away from home is normally welcomed but Hoffenheim will well and truly feel like they dropped two against Mainz this weekend. Scoring goals has not been an issue for the club this weekend but their defensive set-up remains in need of improvement. A chance to do just that will have to wait until after the international break. Bayer 04 Leverkusen are the next visitors to the WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena a week on Friday at 20:30 CET.

Jonathan Harding

1. FSV Mainz:H. Müller – Pospech, Bell, Noveski, Park – Moritz (25' Choupo-Moting) – Geis, Soto, Zimling (66' Mali), Soto – N. Müller, Okazaki (66' Parker)

 

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim:Casteels – Beck, Abraham, Vestergaard, Toljan – Polanski (78' Strobl), Rudy – Firmino, Volland, Elyounoussi (86' Süle) – Modeste (21' Schipplock)

Goals:0-1 Volland (14'), 0-2 Firmino (22'), 1-2 Choupo-Moting (82'), 2-2 Noveski (90+2')

Yellow cards:Pospech – Schipplock, Süle

Referee: Wolfgang Stark

Attendance: 30,000

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