Mainz laid the foundations for their 4-0 win over Hertha even before going into the dressing room. Shortly after the restart, FSV dealt the visitors their third low blow and made everything clear early on.
The Mainz side, unchanged from the 1:2 defeat at Bayern by coach Bo Svensson, were the first to seize the initiative, pressing the visitors hard. The result after the first quarter of an hour with 60 per cent ball possession was a dangerous Onisiwo cross that almost ended up in the goal (10th). Otherwise, a well-organised Hertha defence kept the home side well in check.
Lee has no trouble
The Berliners, for whom coach Tayfun Korkut had nominated Tousart for Richter compared to the 2-0 home win against Bielefeld, remained defensively shackled, were once inattentive – and consequently conceded the arrears: After Niakhaté’s cross Widmer was completely free and headed ahead for the also uncovered Lee, who had an easy game at the second post from the shortest distance and nodded in – 1:0 (19th).
FSV continued to attack early, hardly gave the Capitals any breathing space, Widmer came just as close to scoring the second goal (23rd) as Onisiwo (30th), who was irritated by Barreiro.
Hertha only ran after the ball against 05, who were both ball-secure and strong in the fight, and for a long time there were no offensive actions. The most noteworthy came from Selke (36th, 43rd), who replaced the injured Jovetic.
Tousart deflects – 2:0
But the equaliser or connecting goal would also have been very flattering. Instead, they went into the dressing room with a fully deserved 2-0 lead, as Tousart deflected Hack’s left-footed shot unstoppably into the far corner (41st).
Widmer takes the wind out of Hertha’s sails right away
With Boateng and Richter replacing Zeefuik and Tousart, the Alte Dame started the second half and Belfodil immediately made a dangerous appearance in front of goal (46th). But Mainz quickly put the brakes on the visitors’ burgeoning momentum: Widmer headed in at the second post after Aaron’s left-wing cross (49).
That was the end of the game for the visitors. Berlin’s play remained piecemeal, while FSV had gained a lot of self-confidence. Svensson’s team remained true to its offensive line – in addition to chances from Ingvartsen (67th), Aaron (73rd), Stöger (82nd, 90th) and Boetius (87th), there could well have been a penalty after Stark fouled Onisiwo on the edge of the penalty area (59th).
After chances galore: Boetius ensures the final score
Hertha, who also lost Serdar with a knee injury, disappointed all along the line and had little to counter the home side in the second period. Mainz, on the other hand, were always in the mood for more goals right up to the final whistle, and it was Joker Boetius who was the last to score, making the final score 4-0 (80th minute).
Mainz take on Frankfurt Eintracht on Sunday at 3.30 p.m., while the capital city hosts BVB in the top match three hours later.
