Mainz round out 2025 with a point

1. FSV Mainz 05 could not find a goal to emerge as victors in their final fixture of 2025, recording a goalless stalemate at home to FC St. Pauli. The match-up between the 18th- and 16th-placed Bundesliga sides was fierce and littered with duels. However, in terms of goalmouth action, there was little to shout about. The 05ers were the more threatening of the two teams on the whole and came closest to scoring shortly after half-time. Nevertheless, Mainz remain without a win at home since February and prop up the standings with eight points to their name after 15 matchdays.

One change to the line-up

05ers head coach Urs Fischer made one alteration to his team that began the win at home over Samsunspor in the UEFA Conference League three days prior. Benedict Hollerbach came in for Nelson Weiper, who took up a place on the bench.

Numerous challenges but no goals

“The boys need to utilise the confidence we have established,” judged Fischer during Thursday’s press conference ahead of the contest. Mainz started proceedings full of vigour but required a period of time to get into the game. The visitors from Hamburg looked to put the home side under pressure, winning more of the second balls and threatening from set pieces. The first really dangerous situation arrived on eight minutes, when Danny da Costa was just able to head beyond the Mainz net, once again being guarded by Daniel Batz. FSV continued to make too many mistakes and hence found it tricky to turn the tide of play over the course of the opening quarter of an hour. The hosts first threatened after 21 minutes, when a Nadiem Amiri free kick landed at the feet of Paul Nebel. Mainz’s academy product swung in a deflected cross, which Nikola Vasilj dealt with at the last second.

Those in attendance at the MEWA ARENA witnessed a classic relegation scrap, characterised by tough challenges on the ground and a plethora of aerial duels in between the two penalty areas. Neither side had a shot on target to their name with half an hour played. Nebel had an opportunity after club captain Silvan Widmer’s cross, Amiri fired off a strike following good individual dribbling and Jae-sung Lee tried his luck as well but each was met with a defensive block. Rare forays forward from the away side were comfortably dealt with by FSV. Only a lapse in the Mainz back line allowed Jackson Irvine an attempt on goal from 14 yards; however, Batz was on hand to gather without difficulty (36’). No goalmouth action of note followed before the break in a game that was rightfully goalless.

Mainz push for a goal that never arrives

The home side emerged for the second period unchanged, although with an immediate good headed chance coming the way of Dominik Kohr. Nevertheless, the scores remained level after he directed Amiri’s corner kick delivery well high of the opposition net (47’). The 05ers had now taken control of proceedings, and the go-ahead goal felt increasingly likelier to arrive. Only the finishing touch was lacking for the hosts, which once again was evident as Widmer headed a da Costa cross over from close range at the far post (55’). The Mainz skipper subsequently nearly latched onto an Amiri free kick but the ball evaded his air shot (63’). He made significantly better contact with a left-foot volley only three minutes later, but the Swiss saw his effort from 14 yards fizz over the crossbar (67’).

The visitors had posed little to no threat up until that point after the restart. Fischer responded to Mainz’s dominance by making a double change, bringing on Armindo Sieb for Hollerbach and Niki Veratschnig for Widmer to add some fresh legs. The 05ers continued to work away at the St. Pauli rear guard but to no avail, and even when Nelson Weiper entered the fray for the duration of five minutes of stoppage time, replacing Amiri. Sieb tested Vasilj from a near-impossible angle very late on; nonetheless, each side took a point away from this score draw to close out 2025.

Union Berlin the first opponents of the new year

Mainz now head into the winter break but will look for further points in their quest to avoid the drop on Saturday, January 10th, when they take on Union Berlin away from home (15:30 CET).