Mainz 05 welcomed Hannover to the Coface Arena on Friday night as both sides looked to bounce back from defeats in the Bundesliga last weekend.
A lack of quality in the final third of the pitch meant chances were rare in the first half but Mainz improved after the break to take the lead through Yunus Malli in the 51st minute.
The hosts grew in confidence after breaking the deadlock and they secured a 2-0 victory in stoppage time when substitute Maxim Choupo-Moting tapped in from close range to finish off a flowing passing move.
Read below to find out how Mainz kept the pressure on the teams challenging for a spot in the Europa League.
Good evening everyone. This weekend's Bundesliga action gets underway in fine style tonight as Mainz 05 take on Hannover at the Coface Arena. I'll be talking you through the contest between two sides sitting next to each other in the league table.
Mainz head into this match in ninth place and will draw level with Wolfsburg in sixth if they can collect all three points. A place in Europe is a very realistic target this season. They'll be desperate to put the pressure on the teams above them.
Hannover sit one place below their opponents in 10th, but they trail Mainz by six points after 20 games in the Bundesliga season. A victory this evening will give them breathing space between themselves and the teams in the bottom half of the table.
MAINZ: Karlus, Pospech, Noveski, Saller, Gels, Malli, Bell, Diaz, Okazaki, Park, Muller
SUBSTITUTES: Kresic, Zimling, Choupo-Moting, Koo, Koch, Bungert, Parker
HANNOVER: Zieler, Schmiedebach, Huszti, Hoffmann, Rudnevs, Schulz, Rajtoral, Marcelo, Stindl, Bittencourt, Diouf,
SUBSTITUTES: Miller, Andreasen, Sakal, Prib, Schlaudraff, Pocognoli, Avevor
The team news is in and there's no huge surprises from either manager. Mainz, who make five changes, will of course be relying on Nicolai Muller and Shinjo Okazaki to cause most of the damage for them tonight. Both players are enjoying good seasons and they're a big reason behind Mainz's impressive home form.
Mame Diouf leads the line for the visitors this evening. He'll be familiar to fans of Manchester United but his career has really taken off in the Bundesliga, finding the net seven times during the current campaign.
Mainz will be facing some tough questions tonight. They're genuine contenders for a spot in the Europa League but their confidence took a big hit last weekend when Wolfsburg cruised past them to a 3-0 victory. Can Thomas Tuche's side respond?
Hannover managed to record two impressive victories after the winter break but their charge was halted on Sunday by Schalke, who handed Tayfun Korkut's team a 2-0 loss. Both sides are looking to recover from disappointing defeats. Who is your favourite tonight?
PREDICTION: Kickoff is quickly approaching, so it's time to have a guess at what the outcome will be this evening. We're set for a match between two evenly matched sides and I'm going to sit on the fence. 2-2.
The players are lined up in the tunnel and we're now just moments away from action at the Coface Arena. It's a big night for both sides for their respective European hopes.
Here we go. It will be the hosts who get the game underway. Great atmosphere inside the ground.
Steady start to the game from both sides with neither team unable to take control of the ball in the opening stages.
Pospech breaks away on the right and fires a speculative effort over the crossbar. Mainz are settling down now as the noise begins to increase inside the Coface Arena. That's the first sign of attacking intent from the hosts but they're starting to dominate possession.
Hannover are being forced to chase the ball in the past couple of minutes as the home side continue to improve when in possession. Diouf is trying to play on the last defender but he hasn't seen much of the ball yet.
Much better from the visitors. They enjoy an extended spell of possession to push further up the pitch but the tempo of their play is very slow at the moment, which is playing into Mainz's hands.
Psopech once again collects the ball in space on the right and whips in a delivery. He fails to pick out a teammate but Mainz keep the move alive and win a free kick in a good area.
What a waste from Saller, who barely gets the ball off the ground from the free kick and his teammates are clearly frustrated by that delivery. It's easy for Hannover to clear.
Diouf is left bemused when the referee blows for a free kick but a replay suggests that he used his hand as he attempted to control the ball high up the pitch.
YELLOW CARD! Christian Schulz is a lucky boy. The defender's studs are very high and he catches Saller on the shin. It's a very poor challenge. The referee is quick to bring out the yellow card but that could have easily been red.
Hannover have taken a couple of risk when in possession just outside their own box. Muller has twice come close to stealing the ball in an advanced area. Strange decision making from the visitors.
The home crowd have come alive in the last few minutes. It's not brought a response from Mainz just yet, though, as Hannover continue to improve.
Bittencourt, the smallest player on the pitch, is adjudged to have fouled Noveski as the two jumped in the air for a header. The Hannover ace can't believe his luck. There's a few laugh before play resumes.
Noveski is the guilty party on this occasion as he fouls Rudnevs in the air. A free kick is curled into the box but it's easy pickings for the Mainz defence, who are able to clear the danger.
SHOT! Hannover are all over the place at the back as they give away the ball in a dangerous are. Muller is picked out on the edge of the box and he ignores his teammates before firing a shot over the crossbar. It's a let-off for the visitors.
Mainz on the attack again as Park leads the move by finding Okazaki on the right side of the box. He attempts to find his strike partner Muller but a cross is too close to Zieler, who collects the ball easily.
Okazaki displays great skill on the halfway line to trick his way past a couple of Hannover defenders. Unfortunately for the home fans, his through ball is intercepted by Zieler.
Hoffmann delivers a deep cross but the contact is too form for Diouf, who watches the ball sail over his head. Hannover manage to retain possession and work the ball back to the striker. He unleashes an early shot which drifts wide of the near post from outside the box.
We're past the halfway stage in the first half and it's Hannover who have looked slightly more dangerous when they've been able to find Okazaki and Muller but in truth, we haven't seen a clear opportunity yet.
Bittencourt holds his width and breezes past Diaz. He's in a great position to create an opportunity for his side but his cross is very poor and Mainz are able to clear. Wasted chance.
Noveski steps in to make a vital interception before Diouf can collect the ball. The defender attempts a long pass over the top towards Okazaki but Rajtoral heads the danger away.
CHANCE! What an opportunity for Hannover. Karius almost shoots himself in the foot by rolling the ball to Noveski, who is immediately put under pressure by Bittencourt. The attacking midfielder steals the ball but he's denied by the Mainz goalkeeper inside the box.
Hannover may regret not taking that chance. Bittencourt just lacked a bit of composure after collecting the ball. It was a decent save in the end from Karius. Hannover improving with every passing minute.
SHOT! Good passing move from the hosts, who work the ball nicely to find Saller. The midfielder is gifted plenty of space but his 30 yard strike is too weak to trouble Zieler.
Stindl chips a beautiful pass to Rudnevs, who sees a half-volley deflected behind for a corner. There's a few scary moments in the box for Mainz but they manage to avoid gifting Hannover a chance.
SAVE! Superb play from two of Mainz's defenders. A corner is cleared to Pospech and he clips in a brilliant pass to take the Hannover defence out of the game. Bell is in space inside the box but he fails to beat Zieler with the lob.
Karius is forced off his line to avoid conceding a corner when a back pass goes horribly wrong for the hosts. Too many risks being taken by both sets of defenders this evening.
There's less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half and neither side have really covered themselves in glory at the Coface Arena. Chances have been few and far between. One goal could win this match tonight.
Hannover have certainly seen more of the ball tonight but they seem to lack a cutting edge. Bittencourt needs to come inside more often to get involved in the game. When he's seen the ball, he's looked dangerous.
Mainz work the ball nicely from right to left. Geis spots an early pass but the move breaks down when the assistant referee decides Muller had strayed offside.
It's a good spell for the hosts just before the break but they also seem to be caught in to minds when they approach the final third of the pitch. The home crowd are being kept quiet. A goal would change everything.
SHOT! Very hopeful from Geis. A loose ball falls to the midfielder 25 yards from goal and he can't help but target the top corner with a shot that drifts well wide of the target.
A quiet first period at the Coface Arena is drawing to a close. I'm not sure if there will be much time added on.
HALF-TIME: MAINZ 05 0-0 HANNOVER
No time added on at the end of the first half. I'm not sure which manager will be the happier at the half time interval. Hannover have showed only in flashes what they are capable in attack. The best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Bittencourt, who failed to punish Karius for giving away possession on the edge of the box.
The first goal is going to be crucial tonight. A defensive mistake, rather than a piece of magic, seems to be the most likeliest source. Hannover and Mainz have both been guilty of taking needless risks in front of their own box.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see a change at half time. For Hannover, this would be a good result away from home but Mainz cannot afford to lose further ground on the teams in the Europa League spots.
Hannover have looked particularly ineffective in attack, with Diouf having one of his poorer days leading the line. The former Man Utd forward has been bullied Noveski and has found it difficult to hold up the ball.
The players are back out in the middle following the break. I'd love to say we've seen some great football, but I would be lying. Who can make the breakthrough?
Hannover will get the game back underway. One change at the break for Mainz, with Maxim Choupo-Moting replacing Park.
SHOT! Maxim Choupo-Moting gets involved shortly after being introduced by drifting in on the left to drag a shot wide of the target.
Hannover start a move from deep in their own half before increasing the tempo to release Diouf on the left. The forward's disappointing night continues as he fails to beat the first defender with a poor cross.
Both managers have been getting very animated on the sidelines at the start of the second half. Neither man looks to happy with how their side has performed this evening.
Much better from Hannover. A spell of quick passing helps Stindl earn some space to cross into the box. Rudnevs rises highes but he can't keep his header down.
GOAL! MAINZ 05 1-0 HANNOVER (MALLI)
Breakthrough for the hosts! Muller plays the perfect pass to split the Hannover defence and Malli stays calm to beat Zieler with a fine finish. Lovely goal from Mainz.
SHOT! Choupo-Moting comes inches away from doubling his side lead with a powerful effort that drifts just wide of the post.
SAVE! The game is really starting to open up now as Hannover threaten to level the scores. Diouf picks out Huszti on the edge of the box but he's denied by a good Karius save.
YELLOW CARD! Bittencourt threatens with his trickery just outside the box and Hannover think they've won a free kick. However, the referee shows a yellow card to Bittencourt for going to ground too easily. Excellent decision.
Bittencourt once again creates some space for himself with a lovely piece of skill. A cross is cleared to Schmiedebach, who curls a speculative effort wide of the far post.
Malli has received a welcome boost from that opening goal and he's becoming more prominent as this game progresses. Mainz have improved in the final third of the pitch. They're benefiting from the extra space handed to them by Hannover.
SHOT! Malli is offered far too much space by the Hannover defence and he almost punishes them when a long ranger effort comes agonisingly close to finding the bottom corner.
SUBSTITUTION: Strange decision from Tuchel as he removes Malli, who was looking increasingly dangerous, to make way for Koo Ja-Cheol.
SUBSTITUTION: Korkut decides it's time to make a change of his own as he sends on Edgar Prib to replace Bittencourt.
Hannover have the opportunity to send their big defenders forward for a corner but Huszti's weak delivery doesn't give his teammates a chance. Mainz survive an extended period of pressure before clearing the danger.
CLOSE! Choupo-Moting takes advantage of some sloppy defending to get in behind the back four but Zieler reacts impressively to rush off his line and deny the substitute.
YELLOW CARD! Prib is slightly late with a challenge on Koo and he's quickly awarded a yellow card by the referee.
Marcelo looks to be in trouble when he hauls Okazaki, who was through on goal. However, the defender is saved by the offside flag. Big stroke of luck. He didn't know that decision would arrive.
CHANCE! Choupo-Moting shows excellent pace to sprint clear of the Hannover defence but a poor touch costs him as Zieler makes a block to deny Mainz a second goal. The referee decides that Choupo-Moting fouled the goalkeeper, too. The substitute has made a big difference since being introduced.
Excellent play from Mainz who win a corner following a flowing passing move. Geis whips in a superb cross but Okazaki fails to hit the target with his header at the near post.
If Mainz hold on for the win, Choupo-Moting will have the man of the match award wrapped up. I'm certain he won't be left on the bench for the next game.
Saller fails to find the connection he was searching for just inside the box with a shot and Zieler is able to make a routine save to keep his side from falling further behind.
SUBSTITUTION: Jan Schlaudraff comes on to replace Schulz as Hannover desperately search for an equaliser.
SUBSTITUTION The changes keep on coming as Saller makes way for Niki Zimling. 12 minutes plus stoppage time left in the match.
Hannover are being forced to increase the tempo at this late stage but they've barely been able to create a chance since falling behind. Diouf is being isolated but it's certainly not one of his better nights.
Brilliant defending from Noveski to clear the danger inside his own six yard box following an excellent move from the visitors. Hannover are starting to pile on the pressure now. Can they slice open the home defence?
Big reaction from Marcelo, who wags his finger at Koo after the two clash in the air. No chance of that being on purpose from the Mainz midfielder. The referee quickly calms things down.
SAVE! Stunning strike from Zimling, who looks set to double his team's lead with a 35-yard wonder goal but Zieler reacts superbly to tip the ball over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Zimling leaves his foot in late on Prib and he's rightly cautioned for the challenge.
Hannover win a free kick 25 yards from goal but Huszti wastes another opportunity to create a chance for his teammates when he fails to beat the first defender. That sums up Hannover's night.
SHOT! A dangerous cross into the box is cleared to Muller, who picks out Koo inside the area. The midfielder has space to work with but he fails to hit the target with a powerful strike.
Time is quickly running out for Hannover. It's Mainz who have a free kick in the final third of the pitch as we enter the first of three added minutes.
CLOSE! Choupo-Moting flicks on a header to set up a great opportunity. Okazaki earns himself some room on the left side of the box before drilling a shot just wide of the target.
CLOSE! Big chances for Hannover. Diouf manages to pull a ball into the box for Rudnevs, who turns well before seeing a shot blocked from close range. Stindl then fires an effort at another defender before Mainz clear.
GOAL! MAINZ 05 2-0 HANNOVER (CHOUPO-MOTING)
Who gets the man of the match award? It's a lovely team goal from Mainz as Koo keeps calm just outside the box to play the perfect pass to Zimling, who fights the urge to shoot and chooses to roll the ball across the six yard box. Choupo-Moting looks offside but the flag stays down and he caps a brilliant display with a tap in from a couple of yards out.
FULL-TIME: MAINZ 05 2-0 HANNOVER
It's all over at the Coface Arena. Mainz go level on points with Wolfsburg thanks to goals from Malli and Choupo-Moting, who changed the game after being introduced at half time. Hannover can't have any arguments. They struggled to create opportunities and were eventually beaten by two classy goals.
It took a while for this game to get going but it was Mainz who showed their quality at the crucial moments to collect all three points tonight. Thanks for joining me and I hope you enjoyed the coverage. Goodnight.
