Three goals from former Germany U21 international Yunus Malli secured a 3-1 home win for FSV Mainz against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the opening game of Bundesliga matchday 5, and in doing so temporarily lifted the side to third place in the table.
It was Malli's first Bundesliga hat trick for Mainz. In contrast, Hoffenheim, who have only one once in Mainz in the Bundesliga and have only managed two wins in 13 matches against them altogether, remain at the foot of the table. Jonathan Schmid's early goal unfortunately proved to be in vain.
Surprise lead for Hoffenheim
The 28,973 spectators in Mainz saw a Hoffenheim side that featured several changes from their last league game. Manager Markus Gisdol made three alterations from the side that lost 3-1 to Werder Bremen, including dropping Kevin Kuranyi to the bench following a series of poor performances. New signing Eduardo Vargas and Germany international Sebastian Rudy were brought into the starting line-up. Despite these changes, Hoffenheim found themselves having to do a lot of defending in the opening exchanges. It was clear that the team, who appeared unsettled, were suffering the consequences of their poor run.
Even more surprising was when the visitors took the lead. After a through ball from former Mainz player Eugen Polanski, Schmid finished the counter off nicely. The hosts, however did not let the goal hurt them, and found their equaliser just five minutes later through Malli’s third goal of the season. The 23-year-old made the most of some weak defending by TSG.
Malli steals the show
A tight encounter followed the first-half equaliser. The best chance fell to Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland after 23 minutes: his shot was well saved by Mainz keeper Loris Karius. Mainz showed good build-up play, but couldn’t provide the finishing touch for the remainder of the half.
After the restart, the home side began to knock at the door, as Japanese star Yoshinori Muto hit the bar with his header from a corner after 53 minutes. Then Malli stole the spotlight. He curled the ball from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 before putting home a rebound not ten minutes later to kill the game. Three minutes before the end, the man of the match came off to a standing ovation from the Coface Arena.
Three goals from former Germany U21 international Yunus Malli secured a 3-1 home win for FSV Mainz against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the opening game of Bundesliga matchday 5, and in doing so temporarily lifted the side to third place in the table.
It was Malli's first Bundesliga hat trick for Mainz. In contrast, Hoffenheim, who have only one once in Mainz in the Bundesliga and have only managed two wins in 13 matches against them altogether, remain at the foot of the table. Jonathan Schmid's early goal unfortunately proved to be in vain.
Surprise lead for Hoffenheim
The 28,973 spectators in Mainz saw a Hoffenheim side that featured several changes from their last league game. Manager Markus Gisdol made three alterations from the side that lost 3-1 to Werder Bremen, including dropping Kevin Kuranyi to the bench following a series of poor performances. New signing Eduardo Vargas and Germany international Sebastian Rudy were brought into the starting line-up. Despite these changes, Hoffenheim found themselves having to do a lot of defending in the opening exchanges. It was clear that the team, who appeared unsettled, were suffering the consequences of their poor run.
Even more surprising was when the visitors took the lead. After a through ball from former Mainz player Eugen Polanski, Schmid finished the counter off nicely. The hosts, however did not let the goal hurt them, and found their equaliser just five minutes later through Malli’s third goal of the season. The 23-year-old made the most of some weak defending by TSG.
Malli steals the show
A tight encounter followed the first-half equaliser. The best chance fell to Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland after 23 minutes: his shot was well saved by Mainz keeper Loris Karius. Mainz showed good build-up play, but couldn’t provide the finishing touch for the remainder of the half.
After the restart, the home side began to knock at the door, as Japanese star Yoshinori Muto hit the bar with his header from a corner after 53 minutes. Then Malli stole the spotlight. He curled the ball from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 before putting home a rebound not ten minutes later to kill the game. Three minutes before the end, the man of the match came off to a standing ovation from the Coface Arena.
