Mainz fight back against Freiburg

Mainz fought back from a goal down to start their 2012-13 Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw at Freiburg.

Mainz fought back from a goal down to start their 2012-13 Bundesliga with a 1-1 draw at Freiburg. Max Kruse gave the home side the lead after 49 minutes but the visitors were able to equalise from the spot through Andreas Ivanschitz in the 65th minute. Mainz were dangerous on the counter attack and created the first chance after just 11 minutes as Ivanschitz back-heeled to Nicolai Muller, whose effort just missed the target. The visitors again went close in the 25th minute as Muller fed a great ball to Ivanschitz, who circled Freiburg keeper Oliver Baumann and passed to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting but Freiburg defender Matthias Ginter raced back in time to clear his attempt off the line. The hosts took the lead four minutes after the break as Karim Guede sent a long ball to Kruse who manouvered past Jan Kirchhoff and then shot past keeper Christian Wetklo. Baumann made a great save to deny Elkin Soto' in the 61st minute, but Mainz equalised four minutes later from the spot. Ivanschitz converted into the top right corner after Julian Schuster brought Muller down in the box. Freiburg were close to regaining the lead in the 68th minute but Kruse headed just wide of the goal. The hosts continued to push forward and Wetklo made a superb save from Jonathan Schmid's powerful effort five minutes from time. Wetklo had one more save to make and did so after 90 minutes on Schuster's free kick.