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It was six points from the first 14 games.

At the end of the first half of the season Mainz 05 remained level on points with FC Schalke 04 at the bottom of the table.

Now, for the first time since November, the Rheinhessen are back in a place that would ultimately secure relegation.

In Sinsheim, coach Bo Svensson's team continued their winning streak in the second half of the season and won 2-1 (2-1) at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, overtaking rivals 1. FC Köln, Arminia Bielefeld and Hertha BSC.

The Berliners found themselves on the penultimate place before their game against Bayer Leverkusen.

A development that is not conducive to calm and prudence.

In any case, Pal Dardai lost his temper in an interview with Sky even before kick-off when he was asked about his son Marton, whom he had set up against Leverkusen.

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"I do not understand you.

Why are we discussing this topic?

I've asked 100 times, that's bullshit.

He should get attention when he plays well. ”And further:“ He's not the trainer's son, he's Marton Dardai!

I have begged 100 times to leave these questions.

In a nice way.

He should be valued like a player.

He's not the trainer's son. "

Then Dardai got louder: “He's a young player.

Every young player is allowed to make mistakes.

Then I see again what is coming.

I've begged 100 times.

Nice and good.

And you start again with the topic.

It doesn't get any better that we say 100 times: coach's son.

Coach and player are separate with us.

That's not an issue in the cabin.

What do you want to do with it? "

Mainz scores after just 28 seconds

In Sinsheim, the interviews were much more harmonious.

At least on the part of the Mainz team, who had taken the lead after just 28 seconds thanks to Robert Glatzel.

Dominik Kohr made the well-deserved victory perfect (41st).

Cheers with the Mainz

Source: dpa / Uwe Anspach

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While Hoffenheim and goal scorer Ihlas Bebou (39th) can finally tick off the European ranks after the second league defeat, Mainz are impressively strong in the second half of the season.

The team scores better in the back series under Svensson than top teams like Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

The guests from Rheinhessen also started at the unusual kick-off time on Sunday lunchtime as they have experienced in the past few weeks: committed and energetic.

Glatzel vigorously disturbed Bayern's loan from Chris Richards and took the first chance to take the lead after 28 seconds.

It was the second fastest goal of the current Bundesliga season and the third fastest goal in the history of the Mainz league.

Glatzel (3rd) could have increased immediately afterwards, but keeper Oliver Baumann prevented the early 0: 2.

The Hoffenheimers, who threatened the tabular insignificance after the bitter cup defeats against Fürth and Molde, delivered a lax appearance.

There was little to be seen of Vice World Champion Andrej Kramaric, seasoned professionals like Kevin Vogt or Sebastian Rudy made serious mistakes in their own half.

Baumann prevented another goal against Jonathan Burkardt (18th) with a strong foot defense.

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Sebastian Hoeneß's team managed to equalize all the more surprisingly, and Richards was also involved in this goal: The 20-year-old played a strong ball from the left into the intersection of Bebou, who once escaped the powerful Mainz defense and scored his seventh goal of the season for his own Bundesliga record.

Bebou had already been noticed as the most agile attacker for the Hoffenheim team.

But TSG's joy only lasted for a short time, until Kohr was able to head in completely free-standing to take the lead again after a rehearsed corner kick variant.

The midfielder, who scored a Bundesliga goal for the first time in 1289 days, grabbed the ball under his jersey, stuck his thumb in his mouth and sent greetings to the family on TV.

Even after the change, it was not clear who the relegation candidate and who the Europa League participant was.

Mainz defended the lead with great commitment and tactical finesse.

Mainz can now breathe for two weeks before the series is to be continued.

And the odds are not bad.

The next opponents are Arminia Bielefeld, 1. FC Cologne, Hertha BSC and Werder Bremen.