Freiburg immediately looked to improve on their Bundesliga-low 10 away goals scored this season as Christian Gunter almost put the visitors ahead with a powerful half-volley that grazed the Mainz crossbar.
In a relatively cagey opening 25 minutes, neither side could muster a clear-cut opportunity and Mainz’s only half-chance came when Anthony Caci’s curling effort sailed over the crossbar, doing little to trouble Freiburg’s run of six consecutive Bundesliga clean sheets.
However, Mainz made sure they didn’t miss with their next opportunity after Caci’s whipped ball into the six-yard area was met by the lurking Jonathan Burkardt, who tapped in to become just the third Bundesliga player to reach 15 goals for the 2024/25 season.
Die Nullfunfers faced a strong Freiburg response and the visitors thought they’d won a spot-kick when Dominik Kohr dragged down Lucas Holer. Despite awarding a penalty initially, referee Benjamin Brand overturned the decision as the foul took place outside the area, but he didn’t hesitate in brandishing a red card to Kohr for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
The inevitable Freiburg attack followed after half-time and Michael Gregoritsch started the visitors’ push for an equaliser with a glancing header that forced a fingertip save from Robin Zentner.
Gregoritsch was more successful with his next attempt, rising highest to meet Gunter’s cross and heading in his first Bundesliga goal of 2025.
The Breisgau-Brasilianer kept the pressure on and were only denied by some Zentner brilliance as the Mainz goalkeeper produced a quick reaction double save to repel Holer and Patrick Osterhage.
In a rare launch forward, Mainz struck again to restore their lead with Caci’s cross picking out Andreas Hanche-Olsen, who headed low into the net past a troop of Freiburg defenders.
The Mewa Arena had barely finished celebrating before Freiburg levelled again through Lukas Kubler’s close-range finish from Ritsu Doan’s low cross.
Bo Henriksen’s Mainz will perhaps feel content with a point considering Kohr’s early dismissal, with Die Nullfunfers remaining third in the Bundesliga and within reach of achieving UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.
Similarly, Freiburg are outside the top four on goal difference following this draw and Julian Schuster’s outfit remain unbeaten in seven consecutive matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Anthony Caci (Mainz)