Mainz held by Freiburg

Mainz and Freiburg both stayed in contention for European football next season after playing out a stalemate.

Mainz and Freiburg both stayed in contention for European football next season after playing out a stalemate at the Coface Arena. The game came to life late on when Mainz went closest to breaking the deadlock, but they were also forced to end the game with 10 men after Shawn Parker picked up a second yellow card late on. The two surprise packages from the first half of the Bundesliga season were therefore able to remain in the hunt for a Europa League place. The game took time to get going as the two sides struggled to warm up in temperatures below zero. There was little in the way of entertainment to keep the fans interested either as both goalkeepers had to keep themselves warm due to the lack of shots to save. Freiburg stepped up the pace in the second half and Pavel Krmas put the ball into the back of the net in the 55th minute, albeit from an offside position. Krmas then got himself in the way of Nicolai Muller's shot as Mainz responded, and the game opened up. Zdenek Pospech twice went close for Mainz, while Oliver Sorg missed Freiburg's best chance as the game swung from end to end. Parker saw his first yellow card when he was booked for diving as he tried to win a penalty and received another just three minutes later to leave Mainz with 10 men for the last minute of the game. Freiburg were unable to take advantage, though, and settled for a point.