Berlin, Nov. 22 -- TSG Hoffenheim saw their opportunity to climb into the Bundesliga's top three slip away as a battling Mainz side salvaged a 1-1 draw at the Mewa Arena.
Driven by the momentum of four consecutive league victories, the visitors began with authority and were ahead inside nine minutes on Friday. A delivery from the left by Maximilian Beier drifted into the area and was inadvertently turned into his own net by Andreas Hanche-Olsenunder pressure from Fisnik Asllani.
Hoffenheim looked in control for large spells of the first half. Asllani and Vladimir Coufal both tested Mainz keeper Robin Zentner, while the home side struggled to generate consistent attacking rhythm despite flashes of threat through Benedict Hollerbach.
The p...