Mainz overpower Hoffenheim 3-1 in German Bundesliga

Yunus Malli's hat-rick moved Mainz 3-1 past Hoffenheim in the opener of the fifth round in Bundesliga on Friday.

Mainz wrapped up their third win of the season after they bounced back thanks to three goals by midfielder Yunus Malli, to beat Hoffenheim 3-1 on home soil in front of 28,973 spectators.

It was all Mainz at the first half nonetheless it were the visitors from Hoffenheim who broke the deadlock with just 13 minutes into the encounter as Jonathan Schmid slotted home a through ball by Eugen Polanski following a fast break.

The hosts remained unimpressed and restored parity five minutes later as Yunus Malli finished a pass into path by Christian Clemens into the near post corner.

Despite being the more active team, Mainz lacked to create goal-scoring opportunities against passive Hoffenheim. Thus promising chances remained a rare occurrence for the rest of the first half.

However, things changed after the restart as Malli overcame Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann with a well-placed effort to secure Mainz the 2-1 lead at the 61st minute.

Hoffenheim tried to pull one back but was caught flatfooted when Mainz midfielder Malli sealed his hat rick and his fifth goal in as many games to put the result beyond doubt with a follow up shot from very close range five minutes later.

With the fourth loss of the season, Hoffenheim continue their negative run with one point from five games whereas the "Nuellfuenfer" climb on the third place for the moment.

"I think I can say that we deserved to win today. I am absolutely satisfied with the performance of my team," Mainz head coach Martin Schmid said after the victory.

The following fixtures are scheduled for Saturday: Wolfsburg face Hertha Berlin, Hamburg see Eintracht Frankfurt, Werder Bremen host newly promoted Ingolstadt, Cologne clash with Borussia Monchengladbach and newcomers Darmstadt encounter German record champions and titleholders Bayern Munich. Endi