TSG 1899 Hoffenheim celebrated just their third win of the season after recording a 3-2 triumph over 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. - © © imago / Hübner
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim celebrated just their third win of the season after recording a 3-2 triumph over 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. - © © imago / Hübner

First win for Nagelsmann as Hoffenheim beat Mainz

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TSG 1899 Hoffenheim earned a crucial victory in their efforts to stave off relegation by beating 1. FSV Mainz 05 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3-2 1. FSV Mainz 05

Goals: 0-1 Cordoba (11’), 1-1 Amiri (13’), 2-1 Uth (68’), 3-1 Uth (76’), 3-2 Samperio (78’)

Hoffenheim were 18 points and 11 places behind their in-form visitors coming into this game, but there was no visible difference in quality between the sides in a fiercely-contested first half. Mainz edged ahead early on through Colombian striker Jhon Cordoba but the home team hit back almost instantly, Eduardo Vargas teeing up teenager Nadiem Amiri to slot home the equaliser.

The match remained level for much of the second half, but it burst into life in the closing stages. Mark Uth scored a quickfire double to seemingly pave the way for a Hoffenheim victory, but Jairo Samperio set up a grandstand finale by pulling a goal back for Mainz shortly afterwards. There was to be no late drama, however, allowing Hoffenheim to celebrate just their third win of the season

Man of the match

Uth only had three shots on goal but scored with two of them, his clinical finishing vital in sealing three priceless points for the hosts.

Talking point

This was just the second game in charge for 28-year-old Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann, and his maiden victory will do wonders for the confidence of a team battling the drop.

Match stats

    Cordoba’s strike was his first Bundesliga goal this season.Hoffenheim have now scored a league-high seven times in the opening 15 minutes.Uth netted his first Bundesliga brace in his 15th top-flight outing.

Line-ups

Hoffenheim: Baumann – Kaderabek, Schär, Süle, Ochs – Strobl, Rudy (c) (Schmid 89’) – Uth, Amiri (Polanski 74’), Volland – Vargas (Hamad 63’)

Mainz: Karius – Brosinski (Moritz 86’), Balogun, Hack, Bussmann – Baumgartlinger (c), Latza (Frei 52’) – Clemens (De Blasis 78’), Malli, Jairo - Cordoba