dpa
Berlin
Mainz picked another point under interim coach Jan Siewert in a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at Hoffenheim on Sunday but conceded for the first time under his tenure and missed a penalty.
Siewert has now picked up five points in his three games since Bo Svensson stepped down after a German Cup defeat at Hertha Berlin.
Former Huddersfield Town boss Siewert is moving closer to clinching the Mainz job permanently but they remain in the relegation play-off spot after Hoffenheim’s Robert Skov cancelled out Marco Richter’s equally classy strike - his first for Mainz.
Sixth-placed Hoffenheim could have closed the gap on RB Leipzig in fifth to a point with a win, but instead failed to take the three points for the third straight game despite dominating possession.
It could, though, have been worse for Hoffenheim - who have won just once at home this term - had Mainz’s Aymen Barkok brought his shooting boots to Sinsheim.
He missed two glorious chances for the visitors and then saw his penalty saved by spotkick specialist Oliver Baumann, while Richter also struck the bar twice with free-kicks.
Siewert, who welcomed back forward Jonathan Burkardt after a long injury absence, told DAZN: “I must say I’m very proud of the team.
The lads would have deserved to win the game today.” Promoted Heidenheim earlier drew 0-0 at home to Bochum in a forgettable clash as both sides stayed just above the drop zone.
Heidenheim in 13th failed to score at home for the first time in their maiden top-flight season while Bochum, in 14th, are the Bundesliga’s draw specialists with now seven in 12 games.
“For me, the glass is always half full. As Bochum, we are positioned in the table where everyone expects us to be,” said coach Thomas Letsch.
Second-bottom Union Berlin, who named Croatian Nenad Bjelica as their new coach on Sunday, are a point below Mainz.
Bayer Leverkusen still lead the way after a 3-0 win at Werder Bremen in Saturday’s main programme of matches, with Bayern Munich second following Friday’s 1-0 success at bottom side Cologne.
