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16/05 1:30 PM

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FCH Heidenheim Heidenheim - M05 Mainz Mainz

FCH

0

M05

2

43'
N. Amiri
7'
P. Tietz

Voith-Arena(Sold out)

Robert Hartmann

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53 %Nadiem Amiri

Nadiem Amiri

0:19

Watch: Mainka reflects on Heidenheim's relegation

Full-time

Full-time: Heidenheim 0-2 Mainz

That's it! Heidenheim are relegated - what a late run that put them within touching distance of safety when they had looked all but doomed, but they fall just short of pulling off an incredible survival bid. Tenth-placed Mainz finish the season on a high, deserved winners.

© DFL/Getty Images / DFL/Getty Images

0:24

Schimmer!

... but he fires tamely at Batz from close range. That was surely the chance?!

87'

Mainz standing firm

Conteh picks up a loose ball on the left side, he swings a cross over, but Lee clears the danger.

85'

It's just not their day

Heidenheim's fans even seem to have lost the faith now - looks like their first Bundesliga stint will end after three years. But it's still an incredible story - they were still in the third tier in 2013/14.

84'

Substitution

Batz keeps Heidenheim out

Schmidt applauds as the home fans turn up the noise - they thought Zivzivadze would find the net, but the Georgian's close-range header was brilliantly parried by Batz, who threw himself handball-goalie-style to get something on it.

© DFL/Getty Images / DFL/Getty Images

0:28

Still believing

Heidenheim keep coming forward, but all their promising approach play breaks down before they can really threaten Batz's goal. So far, at least.

77'

Substitution

Lennard Maloney

Sheraldo Becker

75'

Mainz stand firm

Honsak comes forward, there's space on the right for Zivzivadze...but again he can't find a way past Potulski.

73'

Final throw of the dice

Will those new faces make a difference for Heidenheim? They've had the heart, just not the quality in the final third.

73'

Substitution

73'

Substitution

72'

Mainz go close

A free-kick is angled into the Heidenheim box, it's directed goal wards and Mainka has to clear off the line with Feller beaten.

70'

Yellow card

Sheraldo Becker

70'

Yellow card

68'

Substitution

68'

Substitution

67'

Schimmer fizzes one over

The substitute makes a sweet connection with a cross, but can't keep the header down - it was travelling.

67'

Bad news from Hamburg

Wolfsburg now lead at St. Pauli, which means Heidenheim's destiny is out of their hands.

65'

Substitution

Stefan Schimmer

Arijon Ibrahimović

62'

Ibrahimović thwarted

Heidenheim have some space to roam into. Ibrahimović picks up the ball on the left, but the on-loan Bayern youngster can't work a clear sight of goal and Potulski blocks.

60'

The state of play

If Heidenheim win, and Wolfsburg and Pauli draw, they will finish in the play-off spot in 16th. For now, the permutations are simple for Schmidt's men.

57'

Get the calculators out

With the scores as they are, Heidenheim need to win...and Mainz squandered a three-goal lead at the break on matchday 31 of this season, losing 4-3 to Bayern.

56'

Do they believe in miracles?

Heidenheim last won after trailing by 2 goals at the break on April 6, 2024 - 3:2 against Bayern! They now need to do it again, especially with Pauli having equalised against Wolfsburg.

54'

Chances at both ends

There's a panic and a scramble in the Heidenheim box, but they smuggle the ball away and it then takes a last-ditch tackle from Mwene to deny Christian Conteh a clear sight of goal at the other end.

53'

Off the 'bar

It's a high ball into the box and somehow Schöppner makes a great connection - his header ricochets off the bar...so unlucky. They've done almost everything but score this half have Heidenheim.

50'

Hosts' tails up

Mainz have barely been out of their half since the restart. Zivzivadze has a cross blocked and behind for a corner...Mainka sends an outrageous backheel flick over the bar. That would have been some goal.

48'

Handball appeal

Mainz lose the ball just outside their own box, Zivzivadze with a fantastic run into the Mainz area - tries to cross, it's blocked by the hand of Posch as the Mainz defender falls...VAR say "no penalty"

47'

SituationNo penalty

ReviewHandball?

DecisionNo penalty

47'

Wasted opportunity

Heidenheim players line up inside the Mainz area for a free-kick that could bear fruit... but the delivery isn't optimal from Ibrahimović and no one can get a touch.

46'

Changes for both sides

How will that change the complexion of the game?

Kick-off!

46'

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time

Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).

FCH

M05

12.2 s

8.9 s

45'

+ 4

Substitution

45'

+ 4

Substitution

Omar Haktab Traoré

45'

+ 4

Substitution

Christian Conteh

Marvin Pieringer

45'

+ 4

The situation

With Wolfsburg winning 1-0 at St. Pauli, the Wolves would finish in the relegation/promotion play-off spot of 16th while St. Pauli 17th and Heidenheim bottom are relegated to Bundesliga 2 for next season. But that could still all change.

Half-time: Heidenheim 0-2 Mainz

The home side have it all to do if they want to have any hope of retaining their top-flight status. They have been very much second-best here, and Mainz could have had at least another couple of goals. What magic Frank Schmidt work in the home dressing room now?

© DFL/Getty Images / DFL/Getty Images

Half-time

45'

+ 3

Ibrahimović...no

The Heidenheim man comes down the left, looks up and plays the ball across the face of Batz's goal, but there's no one near it in a red shirt.

0:10

Goal! Heidenheim 0-2 Mainz

Mainz come forward with Becker. Heidenheim are on their heels....he finds Tietz, who has a great chance to shoot, but passes to Amiri instead. Cool as you like, he waits, sidesteps Feller's dive, and belts home his 12th league goal of the campaign. Lovely goal, and Heidenheim in real trouble now.

43'

Nadiem Amiri

GOAL!

0:2

Assist:Phillip Tietz

Nadiem Amiri

Goal probability

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

82 %

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

8.11 m

42'

Dinkçi effort blocked

Potulski throws himself at Dinkçi's shot and makes a solid block - the young Polish defender has been superb in the first half here.

41'

Heidenheim pressing

Pieringer can't quite connect when a lovely ball is slid behind the visiting backline and into the six-yard box...oohs and aahs around the ground. The home fans are making a racket - can their players respond?

37'

Focused on the bench

The Heidenheim bench are all focused on screens in front of them - no doubt watching this game for tactical tweaks, but also with more than one eye on what's happening in Hamburg...

35'

Amiri off a post

The Germany midfielder bursts forward from just inside the hosts' half, drifts away from challenges and then around Feller, but his shot comes off the outside of the near post. Amiri with his head in his hands - that should have been a second. This game is so open!

0:25

Massive chance

Mainz lose the ball just outside their own penalty area, Schöppner plays a great ball across to Pieringer, must score...smashes off the crossbar, maybe Batz got a touch. The follow-up is blocked as Mainz scramble...great chance to level.

27'

Becker run

The Dutch forward sprints down the right and then weaves inside - he gets a shot away but it's straight at Feller. That could have worked out worse for the hosts.

24'

Batz denies Dinkçi

Heidenheim come forward with purpose. Dinkçi finds space on the edge of the penalty area and steers a shot goalwards - Batz leaps left to turn the ball behind for a corner.

21'

Frank the Fella

Feller denies Tietz brilliantly when the Mainz forward is played in behind the static home backline - the Heidenheim goalkeeper throws himself at the feet of the goalscorer and pushes the ball out of his stride. Timed it perfectly.

20'

Mainz threat

The visitors look dangerous every time they get near the home goal - Heidenheim simply cannot keep Tietz in check.

Tietz on fire

The Mainz striker has five goals for the 05ers this season, four more than he managed for Augsburg in the first half of the season. Three have been scored with his head and three have given his team a 1-0 lead.

© IMAGO/Thomas Voelker

14'

Hosts go close

Cross comes in from the right. It's flicked on and Ibrahimović on the volley...flashes across Batz's goal and not too far wide of the far post. Great response from the hosts.

12'

Win Probability

Win Probability

This Match Fact documents significant changes in the probability of victory for both teams during the course of the match. The value is based on actual match play and incorporates existing Match Facts such as Expected Goals, Skill and Set-Piece Dange

1'

35.6 %

7'

58 %

11'

Tietz denied by the bar

Amiri clips a free-kick in from the left side, the ball is met by Tietz on the volley and his effort - with the outside of his right boot - crashes off the crossbar. So close to a second;

Goal! Heidenheim 0-1 Mainz

Not the start the home side wanted...Potulski overlaps down the left, great run, his cross from the by-line loops up and Tietz - standing almost on the goalline - just has to get a touch on it. He does, and Mainz lead.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Gerald Oelze-de Stoppany

7'

Phillip Tietz

GOAL!

0:1

Phillip Tietz

Goal probability

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

98 %

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

1.28 m

5'

Home push

Busch bursts forward down the right and looks for the run of Zivzivadze in behind the Mainz backline, but Potulski keeps his cool and earns a free-kick after he's bundled to the ground.

© IMAGO/Ralf Brueck

2'

Bright start

Mainz make headway in the opening minutes, and Heidenheim are fortunate an inviting cross falls to their captain in the middle of their penalty area and not one of the visitors, who are wearing their away kit of all white today.

1'

90 minutes left

The final league game of the season gets underway - Heidenheim will hope it's not their last match of the season though...can they grab that play-off spot?

Kick-off!

0:20

What an atmosphere

The home fans unveil a huge banner stating 'Crazy in love' - there is very much a feeling of optimism here.

Mainz team news

Mainz make three changes. Daniel Batz returns in place of Robin Zentner in goal, while Danny da Costa and Anthony Caci drop to the bench with Silvan Widmer and youngster Kacper Potulski drafted into the starting XI.

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

Heidenheim team news

Frank Schmidt has made just one change to his starting XI. Marnon Busch returns on the right with Omar Traoré dropping down to the bench.

© DFL/Getty Images/Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Starting line-up: 1. FSV Mainz 05

Formation:3-3-2-2

Starting line-up: 1. FC Heidenheim 1846

Formation:4-4-1-1

Half-time entertainment

Something to look out for today during the half-time interval at the Voith-Arena - there will be a football-curling contest involving fans on the pitch. Home supporters will be hoping it's not the only thing for them to cheer today.

© Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Bundesliga

Mid-table Mainz

While Heidenheim are just a place and three points worse off than the same time last season, Mainz are in 10th, four places off where they were heading into Matchday 34 last term. With a six-point gap to ninth-placed Augsburg, they cannot finish in the top half of the table for the second time in three seasons.

© IMAGO/Gerhard Schultheiß

Mainz's Lee off to World Cup

With some squads, notably Germany's, still to be announced, there will be at least one World Cup-bound player on the pitch: Mainz's Jae-sung Lee has been named in the South Korea squad.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Marcel von Fehrn

Hartmann a bad omen for FCH?

Robert Hartmann is taking charge of his fifth Bundesliga game with Heidenheim involved. So far, FCH have won just one and lost three of those matches.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Martin Agüera

1000-goal barrier broken?

The 18 Bundesliga clubs have tallied a massive 957 goals after 33 Matchdays, which means a collective 1000 goals for the season is possible. They would have to find their shooting boots though with an average of 3.22 goals per game so far meaning a total of just 29 when they need 43 to reach the milestone.

© IMAGO/Harald Bremes

The permutations

Heidenheim will be into the play-off if: 1) They win and St. Pauli-Wolfsburg ends in a draw OR 2) They win by a scoreline that is equal to or better than St. Pauli's margin of victory OR 3) They win by scoring three goals more than Wolfsburg's margin of victory

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Jani Pless

The situation

For the first time in 63 seasons of the Bundesliga, the bottom three teams - Wolfsburg (16th, 26 pts, -26 goal difference), Heidenheim (17th, 26 pts, -29 GD) and St. Pauli (18th, 26 pts, -29 GD) - are all level on points. Even more remarkably, St. Pauli host Wolfsburg on the final day in the ultimate relegation decider.

© IMAGO/Jordi Mergen

0:59

Watch: EA predicts the relegation battle

Widmer signs extension

Mainz captain Silvan Widmer has extended his contract with the club. The 33-year-old, whose previous deal was set to expire in the summer, has made 39 appearances in all competitions this season, helping the Zerofivers avoid relegation from the Bundesliga and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League.

© IMAGO/Stephan Hahne

Frank Schmidt on facing Mainz

“We haven’t changed anything compared to previous weeks. We’ve prepared in exactly the same way. It’s our final game of the season, and after that we’ll know where we are in the standings. We’re grateful we still have an opportunity to finish in the play-off position after all our hard work in recent weeks. We’re looking forward to it.”

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Jani Pless

Zivzivadze on his double against Bayern

"It was unbelievable, because when I was a child, I always dreamed of playing against big teams, but I never thought that I would score two goals against them at a stadium like the Allianz Arena. It was an unbelievable feeling. It was a big day for me as all my family were in the stadium. They flew from Georgia especially for that game."

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

Budu Zivzivadze on facing Mainz

"Mainz are a good team, and they play very good football," the Georgian attacker told the Bundesliga. "It is not easy, but we have a bit more of a chance because we are playing in front of our fans. I'm expecting drama - I remember when Dortmund had a chance to win the title, they played against Mainz and drew 2-2 to miss out. We aren't playing for the title, but we are playing to stay in the Bundesliga."

© DFL/Getty Images/Daniel Kopatsch

© DFL

Urs Fischer on facing Heidenheim

"It's only human for you to let up after the pressure is off. It's not always easy building up that tension again. I think a positive result [on the final day] can help us through the summer. There's enough incentive to fight for a higher position. Heidenheim are on an unbeaten run and in good form. They'll try all then can to take their chance. We need to be ready for that."

© RONNY HARTMANN

Bell to stay

Mainz also announced that veteran defender Stefan Bell will stay at the MEWA Arena for another year. The 34-year-old has been with the club since 2007 and has made over 300 Bundesliga appearances for the 05ers. "He's a Mainz institution," said sporting director Niko Bungert.

© RONNY HARTMANN

Da Costa extends

Mainz confirmed during the week that Danny da Costa will remain with the club after top-flight survival automatically triggered a contract extension. The defender, who has appeared in 44 out of 47 competitive fixtures this season, was described as "reliability personified" by sporting director Niko Bungert.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Martin Agüera

2:57

Watch: A relegation showdown for the ages

Wolfsburg, Heidenheim and St. Pauli go into the last matchday of the season level on points, each vying for the play-off spot in a last-gasp attempt to avoid the drop.

Ending on a high

Urs Fischer took charge of Mainz with the club rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga after 13 matches. However, the Swiss head coach has lost only five of his 20 league games at the helm, helping the club secure an 18th consecutive campaign at Germany's top table. Fischer also guided the Carnival club into a European quarter-final for the first time in their history, although his side were unable to get the better of Strasbourg in the UEFA Conference League last eight.

© Alex Grimm

Good omen

Last season, Frank Schmidt's charges preserved their Bundesliga status by overcoming Elversberg in the promotion/relegation play-off. Schmidt, who has guided Heidenheim from the amateur leagues into Europe during his 19-year spell in charge, has never been relegated with the club.

© IMAGO/Marco Bader

Closing the gap

Heidenheim's Matchday 33 victory over Cologne lifted Frank Schmidt's side off the bottom of the table for the first time since Matchday 18. With three wins and three draws in their last seven Bundesliga games, they have cut the gap to the relegation play-off position from 10 points to zero.

© IMAGO/Eduard Martin

Deciding factors

For the first time since 2015, no team has been relegated after 33 rounds of fixtures. Wolfsburg, Heidenheim and St. Pauli could all end the season on the same number of points - which would be a Bundesliga first. Should Heidenheim and Wolfsburg finish the season level on points and on the same number of goals scored, the Wolves would finish higher courtesy of their better head-to-head record.

© Maja Hitij

Who will survive?

For the first time in Bundesliga history, the bottom three teams (Wolfsburg, Heidenheim and St. Pauli) go into the final matchday level on points (26). Heidenheim will leapfrog Wolfsburg into 16th place if they beat Mainz and Pauli draw with Wolfsburg. Frank Schmidt's side will also avoid automatic relegation if they equal or better Pauli's margin of victory, or if they win by three more goals than Wolfsburg.

© Lars Baron

2:03

Watch: Mainz 2-1 Heidenheim - previous meeting

A win for Mainz on Matchday 17 saw them climb out of the relegation zone at the time.

2:03

Watch: Cologne 1-3 Heidenheim - last time out

A stunning win in Cologne gave Heidenheim a chance of completing a great escape as they moved up to 17th, level on points with Wolfsburg in 16th.

2:03

Watch: Mainz 1-3 Union Berlin - last time out

Mainz slipped to defeat on Matchday 33 after Sheraldo Becker had levelled against his former club.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 34 fixture between Heidenheim and Mainz.