Mainz’s Champions League Aspirations Stifled by Freiburg in Four-Goal Drama

European contenders FSV Mainz and SC Freiburg battled to a 2-2 draw at the Mewa Arena, marking their third consecutive draw in the Bundesliga.

Freiburg aimed to better their Bundesliga record of just 10 away goals this season, with Christian Gunter nearly putting the visitors in front with a thunderous half-volley that narrowly missed the Mainz crossbar.

During a cautious first 25 minutes, neither team could create any significant chances, with Mainz’s only glimpse of a goal coming from Anthony Caci’s curling shot that flew over the bar, failing to trouble Freiburg’s impressive run of six successive Bundesliga clean sheets.

However, Mainz capitalised on their next chance: Caci’s whipped cross into the six-yard box found the lurking Jonathan Burkardt, who tapped it in, becoming only the third Bundesliga player to hit 15 goals in the 2024/25 season.

Following that, Freiburg mounted a strong response, believing they had earned a penalty when Dominik Kohr fouled Lucas Holer. Although referee Benjamin Brand initially pointed to the spot, he reversed his decision, determining the foul occurred outside the area. Nevertheless, he showed Kohr a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Freiburg responded with intensity after half-time, as Michael Gregoritsch initiated their quest for an equaliser with a header that required a fingertip save from Robin Zentner.

Gregoritsch soon succeeded on his next effort, rising above the defence to meet Gunter’s cross, scoring his first Bundesliga goal of 2025.

The Breisgau-Brasilianer maintained pressure, but were thwarted by a stunning double save from Zentner, who denied both Holer and Patrick Osterhage.

In a rare counterattack, Mainz reclaimed the lead with Caci’s delivery finding Andreas Hanche-Olsen, who headed low into the net past a group of Freiburg defenders.

However, the celebrations in the Mewa Arena were short-lived as Freiburg quickly equalised again through Lukas Kubler’s close-range effort following Ritsu Doan’s low cross.

Bo Henriksen’s Mainz might feel satisfied with a point in light of Kohr’s early red card, as they remain third in the Bundesliga and are within striking distance of achieving UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.

Meanwhile, Freiburg sit just outside the top four on goal difference after this draw, with Julian Schuster’s side unbeaten in their last seven matches.