Bundesliga: Stalemate keeps Hamburg and Mainz close
Sunday 7 May 2017 22:53, UK
Hamburg and Mainz remain locked together in the battle to avoid a relegation play-off in the Bundesliga after a goalless draw at the Volksparkstadion on Sunday.
The draw snapped a three-match losing streak for the hosts, who nevertheless stay behind their rivals on goal difference with two games of the season to go.
Hamburg missed the best chance to claim the points when American striker Bobby Wood curled a shot wide of the target early in the second half with keeper Jannik Huth beaten.
In another blow for the hosts, defender Mergim Mavraj will miss next week's trip to face Schalke in Gelsenkirchen after picking up his fifth booking of the season.
Freiburg climbed to fifth place in the table with a 2-0 win over Schalke. Last season's second division champions have had a fine campaign and are well placed to secure a Europa League spot. Florian Niederlechner scored both goals within nine first-half minutes.
The on-loan striker netted with his left foot in the 22nd minute and then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Sead Kolasinac fouled Maximilian Philipp.
The result was a major blow to Schalke's own hopes of European football, with Die Konigsblauen now five points off Hertha Berlin in sixth.
