Szalai treble downs Hoffenheim

Markus Babbel made two changes for the away trip to Mainz 05, bringing in Jannik Vestergaard for Mathieu Delpierre in the centre of defence and Daniel Williams, who was returning from suspension, for Denis Streker in defensive midfield.

The Coface Arena saw a rather frantic and fractious opening period between the two sides, with neither quite settling into the game. Both teams were guilty of trying to force opportunities, all too often resulting in the loss of possession. Then, out of nothing, the home side took the lead. Despite Daniel Williams' sliding challenge, Junior Diaz found space on the left-hand side to cross for Adam Szalai, who got in front of Compper to clip a header past Wiese for his fifth Bundesliga goal of the season. TSG needed to create something and really should have done better when Usami burst through on the left wing, but his pass for Volland was too firm. Pospech then volleyed over for Mainz in a bit of space on the right-hand side of the box, before Hoffenheim missed a great chance to equalise. Roberto Firmino was found in space on the right wing and his pass into the box was met by Joselu, but the Spaniard failed to get enough of a touch as the ball trickled wide of the post.

The latter stages of the first half saw more action as Pospech had another chance to test Wiese, but this time the goalkeeper came out on top. Two minutes later, he made an even better save when the ever lively Nicolai Müller burst through the centre of the area and fired at goal. It was TSG who had the last chance of the half though, when good play on the edge of the box saw Volland pick out the onrushing Usami on the left wing, but the attacking midfielder struck a poor effort harmlessly wide of the goal.

The second half started in the worst possible fashion for TSG as Mainz instantly doubled their lead. Jannik Vestergaard miscontrolled and Soto took advantage before feeding the ball through to Szalai, who curled a first time effort past Tim Wiese. Hoffenheim tried to shrug off their shock but once again couldn't find the final pass in attacking situations. Shortly before the hour mark, Firmino did well again and picked out Joselu but his effort was saved by the advancing Wetklo. Hoffenheim poured forward in search of a much needed goal but Usami's drive was tipped around the post by Wetklo. Unfortunately for the away side, the next goal didn't go their way as Mainz scored their third just after the hour mark. A corner from Nicolai Müller met the head of the unmarked Adam Szalai who headed past Wiese to complete his hat-trick and all but secure the victory.

Hoffenheim were struggling and Wiese did well to prevent Mainz from adding to the score, saving with his feet as Müller bore down on goal. Caligiuri curled an effort just wide and Wetklo saved from Derdiyok in the latter stages but Mainz finished comfortable 3-0 winners. Babbel's men will have to bounce back at home against Schalke 04 on Saturday 3rd November at 15.30 CET.

Jonathan Harding

1. FSV Mainz 05: Wetklo – Junior Diaz, Svensson, Noveski, Pospech – M. Caligiuri, Baumgartlinger, Soto, N. Müller (82' Risse) – Szalai (88' Parker), Rukavytsya (62' Kirchhoff)

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Wiese – Johnson, Vestergaard, Compper, Beck – Williams, Rudy (87' Grifo) – Usami, Volland, Roberto Firmino (60' Derdiyok) – Joselu (77' Streker)

Goals: 1-0 Szalai (21'), 2-0 Szalai (46'), 3-0 Szalai (64'), Yellow cards: Baumgartlinger – Williams, Rudy, Attendance: 28,067, Referee: Guido Winkmann

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