Thanks to a dream comeback from Jeremiah St. Juste, FSV Mainz 05 has overcome its small low and keeps the European Cup places in sight.

After two defeats in a row, coach Bo Svensson's team defeated newly promoted VfL Bochum 1-0 (0-0) and have been unbeaten in six home games.

The celebrated player for the 05ers was defender St. Juste, who, after recovering from a shoulder injury and missing eleven league games, was back in the starting XI and scored directly (48').

In the 32nd minute, FSV goalkeeper Robin Zentner also parried a weak penalty kick from former Mainz player Sebastian Polter.

The Rheinhessen (27 points) thus extended their lead over Bochum (23) to four points.

FSV coach Bo Svensson is suspended in Fürth next Saturday after a yellow card (88th).

As early as Tuesday (8.45 p.m./ in the FAZ live ticker for the DFB Cup and on Sky), VfL will have the chance to take revenge on the 05ers in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup on Castroper Straße. 

At Mainz, the recently precarious situation in defense eased enormously.

In addition to the Dutchman St. Juste, who dislocated his shoulder against Union Berlin at the beginning of October, captain Moussa Niakhate also returned to the starting XI after recovering from the corona infection.

Attacker Gerrit Holtmann was not in the squad for Bochum due to a gastrointestinal infection.

The opening minutes clearly belonged to the hosts.

Mainz started with a lot of bite and speed, but often lacked precision.

Bochum initially found it very difficult and were only able to set offensive accents after a good 20 minutes.

Since the Mainz team lost more and more of the thread in the build-up, the game rippled along without any dangerous chances to score.

Only in the 26th minute was VfL goalkeeper Manuel Riemann tested for the first time by a long-range shot by Leandro Barreiro.

The 1000 spectators otherwise experienced football lean food.

Polter's far too weak penalty after a foul by Stefan Bell suited the game. 

Coach Svensson apparently found the right words during the break.

Mainz came out of the cabin much more focused.

First Riemann made a strong save against Jonathan Burkardt (47th).

At the following corner, St. Juste was on the spot after submitting Burkardt. 

And Mainz stayed on the trigger.

St. Juste (62') was again dangerous from a distance, Jae-Sung Lee (65') went just over the goal.

However, the hosts were unable to capitalize on this superiority, Bochum kept the game exciting and missed a good opportunity through Christopher Antwi-Adjei (73rd).