Stuttgart started tentatively for a side who had the chance to move out of the bottom three with a win today, after draws for both Bochum and Schalke on Saturday restored some hope for Sebastian Hoeness’ men. Also desperate for a win to keep in touch with the European places, Mainz took advantage of the Swabians’ complacency to snatch an early lead.
Fabian Bredlow did enough to turn Karim Onisiwo’s shot away for a corner, but he was powerless to stop Marcus Ingvartsen from tapping in the game’s opener from the resulting set piece.
The visitors needed to muster a response to avoid needing a miracle next weekend, and although Onisiwo soon tested Bredlow again, they managed to turn the tide. Finn Dahmen showed outstanding bravery to take the ball away from Serhou Guirassy’s feet, but a familiar hero was on hand to supply the leveller.
Silas sped away on the counter, and a poor clearance from Edmilson Fernandes allowed Wataru Endo, who scored in stoppage time to keep Stuttgart up last season, to flick the ball up and volley emphatically into the net.
Despite the goal just before half-time for Stuttgart, it was the home side who returned to the pitch on top, determined to put an end to their three-match losing streak.
However, they failed to capitalise on that pressure, and Stuttgart sensationally overturned the scoreline, taking the lead with a towering header from Guirassy, making it the Guinean’s fourth consecutive scoring appearance in the Bundesliga. As if that wasn’t enough for Bayern fans to celebrate, it wasn’t long before substitute Chris Fuhrich feigned to cross for Guirassy, and instead cut inside to bend a third into the far corner.
A fourth on the counter from Tanguy Coulibaly sealed the deal, and the away end was in full song as the final whistle blew, with Stuttgart fans knowing that such a crucial result could well preserve their Bundesliga status for another year.
They still must at least equal the results of Bochum and Schalke, but the 2006/07 Bundesliga champions will be confident that they can do the job as they head home to face Hoffenheim. For Mainz, however, the result means that they miss out on the top six, with eighth being the best position in which Bo Svensson’s side can now finish.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Wataru Endo (Stuttgart)
