Doekhi's header denies Mainz in Fischer's return to Försterei | OneFootball

It was a special game for Urs Fischer as Mainz’s coach returned to the club he helped to a Bundesliga promotion before qualifying them for all three European competitions. The 05ers were in desperate need of three points, but Union Berlin have been solid at home in the Hinrunde.

They also started brightly here as Livan Burcu came close to scoring five minutes into his starting debut. The Turk was denied by Daniel Batz after an excellent play from Rani Khedira on the wing. Phillip Tietz, who completed his move to Mainz from Augsburg for €4 million earlier this week, missed a similar chance at the other end, although he was in an offside position.

On his return to Alten Försterei, Benedict Hollerbach had the next big chance of the game in the 15th minute. They needed to wait another 15 minutes for it, but the visitors took a deserved lead with Nadiem Amiri’s fourth Bundesliga goal of the season. The German international calmly controlled Lee Jae-sung’s excellent through pass before a composed finish with a half volley.

Union Berlin improved after the break, but Hollerbach scored against his former club from close range to double Mainz's lead. The South Korean international Lee once again played a big part in the goal, and his compatriot brought the hosts into the game at the other end. Jeong Woo-Yeong scored five minutes after coming on as a substitute to force a nervy ending for the cellar-dwellers.

Fellow substitute Andras Schafer was denied by the post after Batz's mistake, but Danilho Doekhi has no mercy as the center-back scored from yet another header. Mainz rued the missed chance of Hollerbach when they were leading 2-0, but they were defending for their lives since conceding the first goal.

Mainz will play their first home game of 2026 on Tuesday with a relegation six-pointer against Heidenheim. Union Berlin will be involved in a rare Thursday night Bundesliga fixture as Tietz and co. travel to Bavaria to face FC Augsburg.