Mainz 0 - 0 Hertha BSC Berlin: Mainz clinch Europa League group place after stalemate against Hertha Berlin

Posted Sunday, May 15, 2016 by PA

Mainz secured their place in the group stage of next season's Europa League and ensured opponents Hertha Berlin will have to get through two qualifying rounds to join them with a 0-0 draw at the Coface Arena.

Mainz needed just a point to seal their place inside the top six and they got it, on the day Elkin Soto made his return after over a year out injured.

Jhon Cordoba had the first opening of the game for Mainz, but control let him down and denied him the chance to beat Rune Jarstein.

The lively Karim Onisiwo made that chance, and he continued to create openings for his side, before Berlin started to get a foothold in the game and set up chances of their own.

Salomon Kalou missed their best opportunity just before half-time when he was put through with only Loris Karius to beat and sent his shot inches wide of the post.

Cordoba flicked a header just inches wide of the far post as Mainz went close to breaking the deadlock on the hour mark, but they soon reverted to defending and playing down the clock.

It was a tactic which nearly backfired when Kalou got another chance in the dying stages, but before the final whistle was blown there was one more emotional moment for the fans.

Soto came on just seconds before the final whistle sounded - 377 days since his last appearance, when he seriously damaged his knee - and the celebrations commenced with him being lifted into the air by team-mates.

Mainz director of sport Christian Heidel struggled to hold back the tears ahead of his move to Schalke next season.