The 1. FSV Mainz 05 celebrated its 120th birthday on March 16, 2025, with a thrilling 2:2 draw against SC Freiburg, maintaining their position among the top contenders for the Champions League.
Mainz, playing at the MEWA Arena, saw their star striker Jonathan Burkardt put them on the scoreboard first, scoring the opening goal at the 34-minute mark. The goal ended goalkeeper Noah Atubolu's impressive streak of 609 minutes without conceding, which had been the best record until Burkardt's decisive strike.
Despite the festive atmosphere marking their anniversary, the match turned intense as Dominik Kohr of Mainz received a red card shortly before halftime, leaving his team to battle with just ten men for the second half.
“If you look at the match, the result is okay,” Burkardt remarked after the game. “We played more than one half with ten men. Still, when you lead 2-1 so late, you want to hold on to it.” His sentiment echoed the frustrations both teams experienced throughout the match.
After the red card, Freiburg leveled the scoreboard with Michael Gregoritsch’s header at the 58th minute, which seemed to shift the momentum firmly toward the visitors. Yet Mainz was quick to respond. Just 16 minutes later, Andreas Hanche-Olsen capitalized on Freiburg’s defensive error and scored the second goal for Mainz, bringing the home side back to the lead.
But the celebrations were short-lived, as Freiburg's Ritsu Dōan assisted Lukas Kübler who struck back just five minutes later to bring the score to 2:2.
Mainz coach Bo Henriksen was proud of his team’s performance. “I’m proud of the entire squad. They had the courage not just to defend but to engage actively,” he said after the match, highlighting the tenacity displayed by his players even after being reduced to ten men.
With this draw, Mainz secured their position at third place on the Bundesliga table with 45 points, slightly below Eintracht Frankfurt, who might surpass them depending on the outcome of upcoming games. Meanwhile, Freiburg, after this tie, remains sixth with 42 points, continuing their battle for European football next season.
Looking forward, both teams gear up for their next matches, with Mainz set to face Borussia Dortmund on March 30, 2025. The stakes couldn't be higher as Mainz aims to secure every point possible to solidify their Champions League ambitions.
Freiburg will look to bounce back against Union Berlin, hoping to regain ground lost after this match. With both teams vying for European spots, the intensity of the Bundesliga continues to build.
This season has been quite the roller coaster for Mainz, especially for Burkardt, who has consistently been the top performer. The forward’s 15 goals across 22 appearances make him one of the league’s most formidable attackers this season.
One cannot ignore the significance of the 120th birthday celebration for Mainz. The fans put on quite the show with elaborate choreographies, adding to the festive spirit, even as the team fell short of securing all three points against their direct competitor.
Upon reflection, this match was more than just about points; it was about the spirit of competition. Mainz displayed resilience and fighting spirit, but Freiburg's late goals proved the equalizing power of tenacity and skill under pressure.
Now, as they regroup and refocus, both teams are reminded of the competitive nature of this Bundesliga season, where every single point matters.
The next fixtures will be pivotal, not just for Mainz and Freiburg, but for all teams involved as the season draws closer to its end. The battle for European football is on, and the stakes are higher than ever.