Mainz-Hertha Berlin is a match on the seventh day of the Bundesliga and is played on Friday at 20:30
MAINZ – HERTHA BERLIN
Mainz continue to nurture top-flight dreams. The team from the Palatinate is no longer in the ‘surprise’ category. After a miraculous salvation two seasons ago, last May the red and white team came close to what would have been an extraordinary European qualification. And they seem to have what it takes to do it again this year, despite the fact that the management was forced to let some valuable players go in the market. The guarantee is always coach Bo Svensson, who in the 2020-21 season resoundingly managed to revive a group that in January gave the impression of being doomed. Today, after six Bundesliga days, Mainz are already on 10 points and in the event of a success in the match against Hertha Berlin they would momentarily climb to second place, overtaking Bayern Munich and joining Freiburg.
Svensson, however, must dispel the Opel Arena taboo as soon as possible. In front of their own public, Onisiwo and his team-mates have not yet won. Their three victories have all come away: a positive series that was interrupted in Sinsheim against Hoffenheim last Saturday. The match was obviously conditioned by the expulsion of the defender Hack at the end of the first half: in a numerical inferiority Mainz sank to the bottom, losing 4-1, the second defeat after the one against Bayer Leverkusen.
There were tentative signs of recovery for Sandro Schwarz’s capital city side, who, thanks to four points won against Augsburg (0-2) and Bayer Leverkusen (2-2), were able to leave the red zone and redeem a very disappointing start. Hertha have grown a lot from the offensive point of view, as the total of four goals scored between the Bavarians and the Aspirins testifies: just think that in the first four matches they had barely scored two. Now the Mainz test for a team still in search of an identity.
Sandro Schwarz
The Prediction
Mainz have an obligation to react after the debacle in Sinsheim but will have to watch out for a team on the rise like Hertha Berlin. It could be an entertaining and exciting match, as it has been in the last few matches, almost all of which have been won by Nullfunfer. In our opinion, the hosts will avoid defeat in a match in which the guests are also likely to score.
Mainz-Hertha Berlin matchday squad
- MAINZ (3-4-1-2): Zentner; Tauer, Bell, Leitsch; Widmer, Kohr, Barreiro, Aaron; Lee; Burgzorg, Onisiwo.
- HERTHA BERLIN (4-3-3): Christensen; Kenny, Uremovic, Kempf, Plattenhardt; Tousart, Sunjic, Serdar; Lukebakio, Kanga, Ejuke.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
