Mainz, Hoffenheim draw in German football

Mainz and Hoffenheim had a scoreless draw to remain joint second at the start of German football's sixth round.

Mainz drew 0-0 with Hoffenheim on Friday as both sides missed the chance to go provisionally top of the Bundesliga.

Hoffenheim forward Anthony Modeste had the best early chance but shot straight at Lorius Karius. Roberto Firmino drew a good save from the Mainz goalkeeper in the 33rd and Niklas Suele headed just over from the resultant corner.

Then Filip Djuricic tried chipping Oliver Baumann at the other end but the Hoffenheim keeper was alert to it.

Firmino headed against the post from a narrow angle on the hour, in what was a hectic but error-strewn second half.

The sides are joint-second on 10 points ahead of the rest of the sixth round.

League leaders Bayern Munich visit Cologne on Saturday when Borussia Dortmund play at Schalke in the Ruhr derby.