Freiburg (dpa) – After record joker Nils Petersen had saved SC Freiburg 1: 1 (0: 1), coach Christian Streich did not want to get upset about FSV Mainz 05’s irregular opening goal. “Of course the goal was irregular, but mistakes happen,” said the 56-year-old on Saturday and didn’t blame referee Deniz Aytekin: “Mr. Aytekin can’t help it, he can’t see it,” said the coach. Petersen had previously ensured that Streich was able to enjoy at least one point after Freiburg lost to Mainz in the first half and found no means in attack.
When the striker was on the spot immediately after being substituted on (69th minute) and scored the equaliser, the excitement of the game was already a bit ago. Defender Alexander Hack (31st) gave the guests the lead in front of the 10,000 spectators allowed after Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken initially parried a header from Dominik Kohr. The defender was previously offside. “The goal shouldn’t have counted. It’s annoying. The video assistant focused entirely on a possible handball when checking,” said Aytekin on Sky.
The German Football Association said on Twitter that the offside position had not been lifted: “However, since this is an action by the goalkeeper to prevent a goal, the original offside position of the Mainz player Hack remains a punishable offense. When checking the goal, the focus was extensively on a possible foul and handball laid. Both offenses were not committed.” The Freiburg players reacted to the deficit with discussions. “If I see it that way, it’s clearly offside,” said international Nico Schlotterbeck afterwards.
However, the lead of the guests would have been deserved. At first, the Mainz team caused the Freiburg team significant problems and were more dangerous. However, coach Bo Svensson tore his hair when Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken thwarted what was then the best chance against Jonathan Burkardt (14th), who rushed towards him. The keeper was immediately challenged again with Anton Stach’s free kick. The SC lacked ideas on the offensive for a long time. Mainz could also have been more clearly ahead, for example if the agile Burkardt had used the great opportunity to make it 2-0 (41st).
The Freiburgers then came out of the cabin with more speed. It wasn’t until Streich sent three fresh players onto the pitch in the 67th minute, Petersen, Kevin Schade and Janik Haberer, that their efforts were rewarded. And Petersen prevented a worse damper for the European Cup hopes of the fifth-placed Breisgauer. “Nils is who he is. He brings enormous quality to the penalty area,” Schlotterbeck praised the 33-year-old on Sky, who recently increasingly had to be content with the role of reserve player in Baden.
Mainz are still waiting for their first win abroad in the Bundesliga since the end of October. After five away defeats in a row, they drew and moved up to ninth place with only three points less than Freiburg. “In the first half it was our best away game this year. There was more to it than 1-0,” said sporting director Martin Schmidt.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220212-99-95634/6
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