On March 15, 2025, SC Freiburg faced off against FSV Mainz 05 in what turned out to be a gripping encounter at Mainz's stadium, ending with a 2:2 draw. With 33,305 spectators watching, this match was pivotal for both teams as they vie for Champions League qualification.
The first half of the match set the stage with drama as Jonathan Burkardt scored for Mainz at 34 minutes, putting his team up 1:0. Burkardt's goal came as he capitalized on what seemed like a harmless ball from Anthony Caci, which caught the Freiburg defense off-guard. This goal marked Burkardt's 15th of the season, ending Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu’s incredible run of 610 minutes without conceding.
Just before halftime, the game changed dramatically with Mainz's Dominik Kohr being shown a red card for a last-man foul after video review. This incident left Mainz with ten men going forward. Although Freiburg had numerical superiority, the home team’s defense managed to withstand the pressure well initially.
After the break, Freiburg pushed heavily for the equalizer and found it soon after. Michael Gregoritsch scored with a powerful header from Christian Günter's cross at the 58-minute mark, making it 1:1. The momentum seemed to shift as Freiburg intensified its attacking play, forcing Mainz's goalkeeper Robin Zentner to make several key saves, keeping his team afloat.
Just as Freibug seemed poised to take control, another twist unfolded. Mainz regained the lead when Andreas Hanche-Olsen scored with a header following defensive errors from Freiburg, putting the score at 2:1 at the 74th minute. This goal sparked jubilation among the Mainz supporters, momentarily silencing the traveling Freiburg fans who were hopeful for their team.
Nevertheless, Freiburg displayed resilience. Lukas Kübler, who had just entered the field as a substitute, leveled the game again at 2:2 only five minutes later. Kübler's opportunistic goal showcased Freiburg's determination and ability to respond under pressure. A long ball from deep released Doan, who assisted Kübler, managing to finish the play with finesse.
Despite the late rush from both sides, neither team could secure the win, leading to moments of frustration, especially for Freiburg, who reflected on their missed opportunities. After the match, Atubolu expressed his disappointment, stating, "Schlussendlich müssen wir uns glaube ich über den Punkt ärgern. Wir sind ein Mann mehr, Mainz hat es wirklich richtig gut im Anlaufen und im Pressing gemacht... Trotz allem müssen wir glaube ich mehr Tore machen und bekommen dann ein zweites richtig unnötiges Tor."
Coach Julian Schuster noted after the match, “It certainly feels like two points lost for us today, as we had the upper hand, especially with our extra player.” The atmosphere was also charged with Mainz coach Bo Henriksen emphasizing before the match, "Es ist ein großes Spiel für uns alle," recognizing the historical significance of the game on the club's 120th anniversary.
Post-match, both teams demonstrated their fighting spirit. Mainz extended their unbeaten streak to six matches, maintaining their edge with 45 points, aligning them firmly among the top contenders. Conversely, Freiburg, now five points behind at 42, highlighted their own seven-game unbeaten run, emphasizing their steady climb within the league.
Both teams will use this draw as motivation when Freiburg prepares for their next encounter against Union Berlin on March 30, eager to turn draws like this one, filled with potential and promise, finally over the line as wins.