Bundesliga
Struggling Mainz kept their first clean sheet of the season, shutting out the likes of Matheus Cunha, Krzysztof Piatek and Matteo Guendouzi at Hertha Berlin's Olympiastadion on Bundesliga Matchday 12.
Hertha went into the contest with three league wins for the season to second-bottom Mainz's solitary triumph in Freiburg. There was little indication either side would swell that tally in a competitive first 45 short on goal-scoring chances. Four first-half efforts on goal represented a new low for the current Bundesliga campaign, and it was Mainz - enduring their worst-ever start to a top-flight season - who produced the best of the lot. A right-wing cross by Edmilson Fernandes wasn't dealt with by Jordan Torunarigha, though the Hertha defender's attempts to clear did just enough to unsettle Luxembourg international Leandro Barreiro, who miscued with his studs, sending the ball onto the crossbar, with Alexander Schwolow unmoved.
Hertha remained in control on the possession front after the restart, but again it was Mainz with the first meaningful chance in front of goal. Kevin Stöger made the desired connection with Karim Onisiwo's purposeful cross, only for Dedryck Boyata's outstretched left boot to divert the midfielder's first-time effort wide. After Matheus Cunha had his pockets picked before he could get a shot off at the other end, Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia introduced Dodi Lukebakio for the subdued Javairo Dilrosun. The Belgian's pace threatened to expose Mainz on the break as the contest ticked towards the 70th-minute mark, but Guendouzi's final ball fell short of its intended target. A VAR check for a possible penalty against Onisiwo aside, the remainder passed without major incident as Mainz picked up an important point in their battle to escape the relegation zone.
Hertha: Schwolow - Zeefuik (Pekarik 72'), Boyata (c), Torunarigha, Plattenhardt (Mittelstädt 61') - Tousart (Leckie 72'), Stark, Guendouzi - Cunha - Dilrosun (Lukebakio 61'), Piatek (Ngankam 80')
Unused subs: Jarstein, Darida, Alderete, Redan
Out: Ascacibar (muscular), Cordoba (ankle), Löwen (thigh)
Coach: Bruno Labbadia
Mainz: Zentner - St. Juste, Hack, Niakhate (c) - Barreiro, Kunde, Fernandes, Martin (Burkardt 80') - Stöger (Latza 77'), Onisiwo (Mateta 80') - Quaison
Unused subs: Dahmen, Boetius, Ji, Kilian, Brosinski, Issah
Out: Mwene (ankle), Öztunali (thigh), Szalai (knee)
Coach: Jan-Moritz Lichte