FIRST TEAM
03/03/2010

Next match: Safe from the drop!?

Mainz 05's new stadium is taking shape, but the Nullfünfers will surely miss the Stadion am Bruchweg when it's gone considering their wonderful home record this term.

Indeed, the move to the brand new Coface Arena in 2011 is sure to be an emotional one after Thomas Tuchel's side turned their home ground into a fortress this season. Saturday's visitors went 11 games unbeaten on home turf, with Ralf Rangnick's Hoffenheim one of the many teams to come away from the Bruchwegstadion empty handed. A double-strike from Aristide Bance in the opening 15 minutes was enough for the hosts to take all three points back in October, with Andreas Ibertsberger's late goal coming as scant consolation as 1899 lost 2-1.

Bremen ruin 100% record

Mainz's first home defeat of the season came last weekend as Werder Bremen emerged 2-1 winners, though coach Thomas Tuchel was adamant that the referee played a big part in the visitors' success: "I have no doubt that if we had had eleven players on the field, we wouldn't have lost." Florian Heller as dismissed in the 14th minute for supposedly stamping on Aaron Hunt. "I can't believe that decision," added Tuchel, whose charges nonetheless gave Bremen a serious run for their money with just ten men.
Tim Borowski inadvertently netting a deep free kick to give Werder the lead before Bance levelled the scores shortly before the break. Still, Bremen eventually made their man advantage count when Austrian international Sebastian Prödl netted with clinical precision to give the visitors victory. Mainz could have levelled things midway through the second half when Bance spurned a double-chance, but ultimately it was not to be for the home side.

Bance future uncertain

Bance, who alongside Andreas Ivanschitz and Tim Hoogland ranks as Mainz's most potent attacker, could meanwhile be on his way out of the club at the end of the season, with Premiership clubs Birmingham City, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers all said to be interested. Bance's current deal is set to expire in 2012.

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