Dortmund and Union boost chances as Freiburg and Mainz hopes dented
Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck celebrates his side's third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz 05 at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
Borussia Dortmund reignited a late charge for the European places with a 3-1 home win on Sunday which complicated Mainz's hopes of Champions League qualification.
Freiburg also wasted the chance to close in on a top-four place as Union Berlin all but secured Bundesliga safety with a 2-1 away win.
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Mainz, who have never been in Europe's top competition, remain fourth but failed to increase the gap on the chasing pack as their goal difference suffered. They had not lost in six games but now hold just a two-point cushion over fifth-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Dortmund, in 10th, moved to within four points of a guaranteed European berth with seven games to go.
Maximilian Beier, up front in place of the absent Serhou Guirassy, gave Dortmund the lead with a tap-in and Emre Can headed in a corner just before the break. Germany under-21 star Beier matched Can's trick midway through the second half before Paul Nebel's consolation.
"We let in two stupid goals from set pieces. We deserved to lose," Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt told DAZN. "It hurts when you concede two easy goals."
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Niko Kovač's side had lost their last two league games before the international break, but Dortmund are back in the running for a Conference League berth at least.
Mainz, who had other chances after the break, lacked their usual verve and will hope to rediscover their form at home to bottom side Holstein Kiel next Saturday.
Union ruin big day for Freiburg's Grifo
Freiburg stay in seventh, level on points with RB Leipzig and three points behind Mainz in the final Champions League spot. Leaders Bayern Munich, second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt, in third, all won earlier this weekend.
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Union meanwhile climbed eight points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
Lucas Höler opened the scoring for the hosts on 29 minutes when he finished off a fine team move, but Rani Khedira levelled almost immediately for Union with a shot from the edge of the area.
Andrej Ilić then timed his run perfectly to head home on 48 minutes to stun the home fans and it got worse for Freiburg when keeper Noah Atubolu went off with an arm injury after colliding with a team-mate.
Midfielder Vincenzo Grifo, after his 300th competitive game for Freiburg, said: "Luck wasn't on our side. We left everything out there.
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"It's an epic number of games for me to have racked up and hopefully there are a few more matches to add to that. But it is a shame because I would have liked to celebrate with a win."
Union are unbeaten in three league games having drawn 1-1 at home with Bayern last time out. They also won 2-1 at Champions League-chasing Frankfurt earlier in March.
Freiburg, who had seen Julian Schuster seamlessly replace coaching icon Christian Streich this season, have now not won in four Bundesliga games as they seek a first Champions League place.
Dortmund's Emre Can (2nd L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammates during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and FSV Mainz 05 at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
Berlin's Andrej Ilic (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Josip Juranovic during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
Berlin's Andrej Ilic celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and 1. FC Union Berlin at Europa-Park Stadium. Harry Langer/dpa
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