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Tuchel's tactics terrific in victory over Hoffenheim
 HOFFENHEIM 0
 MAINZ 1
Bancé 69
FSV Mainz 05 deservedly won only their second game on the road this season as an Aristide Bancé strike meant Mainz fans had the rare joy of celebrating in another team's stadium. Thomas Tuchel's side had only gained seven points from their previous 12 away fixtures but a perfectly executed tactical display to frustrate their fellow mid-table opposition in the Rhein-Neckar-Arena ensured three points could be added to that total.
With Hoffenheim possessing creative attacking talent such as Maicosuel, Carlos Eduardo and Demba Ba, Tuchel, who at 36 years old is the youngest Coach in the Bundesliga, thought it essential to prevent Hoffenheim obtaining any room to play in. His team defended resolutely throughout the game and stayed as magnificently compact and sturdy as a slab of corned beef. It was not the prettiest of games and the first half in particular was almost completely devoid of entertainment, but the whole-hearted efforts of the Mainz team to defend collectively and suffocate their opponents has to be admired.
Given both teams were living next door to each other in the neighbourhood of mid-table mediocrity, having each amassed 32 points before the game, it was expected to be an even encounter despite the away-from-home struggles of Mainz. And the first half was exactly that, as both sides failed to provide any quality going forward but were stout defensively. The goalkeepers were surely wishing they had brought a book. The only scent of a goal coming in the 18th minute as Mainz midfielder Eugen Polanski shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.
The second half started only slightly better, but the tempo of the game had noticeably increased as Ralf Rangnick, the Hoffenheim Coach, had clearly instructed his changes to try and play with more vivacity and creativity. The execution of this instruction, though, sadly became ever poorer as the second period progressed, die Kraichgauer continuing to be nothing but thoroughly underwhelming and limp in their attempts to create clear-cut chances to get on the score sheet. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the only goal of the game came on the counter-attack. A hooked clearance by Elkin Soto was allowed to bounce by Josep Simunic and Bancé turned, nut-megged Marvin Compper and drove powerfully towards goal before slamming a typically vicious shot from 20 yards into the back of the net. Bancé’s thunderous strikes are now well known amongst his Bundesliga opponents, this one being his seventh goal of the season.
This result means Hoffenheim’s outside chance of obtaining Europa League football next season has been almost completely extinguished, and if they continue to put in such lacklustre performances the fans will start to get even more restless - a cacophony of whistles and boos reverberated around the ground at half and full-time. Mainz on the other hand will simply be delighted with the way their first season at the top level has gone. Now up to ninth, their place in the mid-table region has received a further fastening.
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