Berlin (dpa) – A goal inside 30 seconds helped Mainz to a 2-1 victory at Hoffenheim on Sunday and continued their charge under coach Bo Svensson to finally escape the bottom three.
Robert Glatzel robbed Bayern Munich loanee Chris Richards to score less than a minute into his starting debut and Dominik Kohr headed the 41st minute winner shortly after Ihlas Bebou levelled for midtable Hoffenheim.
At the halfway stage of the season Mainz were second-last with seven points, the same as Schalke, and 10 adrift from outright safety.
But while Schalke have gained only three points in the last nine games, Mainz have hauled in a sensational 17 under new coach Bo Svensson to move 14th, two points clear of the play-off place.
It is the first time Mainz are out of the bottom three since late November.
Mainz’s would slip a little should second bottom Hertha Berlin beat Champions League hopefuls Bayer Leverkusen later before Freiburg v Augsburg concludes matchday 26.
Leaders Bayern Munich crushed VfB Stuttgart 4-0 on Saturday to maintain a four-point advantage over RB Leipzig, who they visit on April 3 after the international break.
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