Bundesliga
Jonathan Burkardt scored twice as Mainz secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over bottom-placed Bochum to move fourth, at least overnight. The visitors remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Mainz 2-0 Bochum
Goals: 1-0 Burkardt 23’ (assist: Caci), 2-0 Burkardt 69’ (assist: Mwene)
Burkardt was making his return to the starting line-up for Mainz after recovering from an injury sustained in December against Bayern Munich. The hosts entered the match in fine form, having won five of their last six games, while Bochum arrived rooted to the bottom of the table, despite getting their first win of the season in their final game of 2024.
The match began with a flurry of physical challenges, resulting in several stoppages for injuries. Moritz Jenz forced a save from Patrick Drewes following a long throw-in. Bochum's injury woes continued as Tim Oermann was forced off after 20 minutes, replaced by Jakov Medić. Burkardt, eager to make his mark, missed a golden opportunity in the 22nd minute but quickly made amends. Just a minute later, the striker latched onto a ball over the top from Anthony Caci, calmly slotting past Drewes to give Mainz the lead.
Bochum made a tactical switch at half-time, introducing Dani de Wit for Anthony Losilla in an attempt to gain a foothold in midfield. The change seemed to have some effect, with the visitors showing more attacking intent. In the 57th minute, a potential penalty for Mainz was checked by VAR but ultimately not given. Despite Bochum's improved performance, Mainz's defence, led by Stefan Bell and Jenz, stood firm. The hosts continued to threaten, with Phillipp Mwene nearly doubling the lead in the 76th minute. Burkardt, however, had already put the game beyond doubt when the striker was on hand to convert Mwene's low cross, notching his second of the match and a record 35th Bundesliga goal by a Mainz player.
Burkardt's return to the starting line-up proved pivotal for Mainz. The striker's clinical finishing was the difference between the two sides, with his brace securing all three points for the hosts. His first goal showcased his composure, while his second demonstrated his predatory instincts in the box. Beyond his goals, Burkardt's movement and link-up play caused constant problems for the Bochum defence. This performance not only highlighted his importance to the team but also further cemented his status as Mainz's record Bundesliga goalscorer.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Mainz 1.92 - Bochum 0.94
Fastest player: Kaishu Sano (Mainz), 33.5 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz), 51.46 percent
Most pressed player: Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), 20 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Stefan Bell (Mainz), +3.81
Fantasy Heroes: Anthony Caci (Mainz, 344 Points), Jonathan Burkardt (Mainz, 304 Points), Moritz Jenz (Mainz, 223 Points)