In this Dec 23, 2020 photo, Stuttgart's Austrian forward Sasa Kalajdzic (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the German Cup 2nd round soccer match between Stuttgart and Freiburg in Stuttgart, southern Germany. (RALPH ORLOWSKI / POOL / AFP)

BERLIN - Goals from Sasa Kalajdzic and Silas Wamangituka in the second half ensured Stuttgart's first home win of the season following a 2-0 win over Mainz in the curtain raiser of the 19th round in Bundesliga on Friday.

Relegation-threatened Mainz started highly motivated into the encounter as Karim Onisiwo pulled wide from the edge of the box with 11 minutes gone.

Stuttgart tried to gain a foothold into the game, but two injury substitutions, one by each side, disrupted the flow of the game at the half-hour mark.

With the result, newcomers Stuttgart stay in 10th place while Mainz remain in the 17th position

Goal scoring opportunities remained a rare occurrence for the remainder of the first half as Mainz's rough defense prevented Stuttgart from implementing its attacking style of play.

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Stuttgart secured a fairy tale start into the second half though, as Borna Sosa's pinpoint cross into the box allowed Kalajdzic to head home the opener from very close range in the 55th minute.

Mainz responded well and almost restored parity six minutes later but Onisiwo's header following a corner kick rattled only the crossbar.

The hosts continued on the front foot and put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute when Wamangituka collected a loose ball at his own box before racing down the pitch and beating Mainz' goalkeeper Robin Zentner for his 11th goal of the season.

The second goal broke Mainz's resilience whereas Stuttgart protected its two-goal lead to the final whistle.

With the result, newcomers Stuttgart returned to winning ways and stay in 10th place of the standings while Mainz remain in 17th.

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"We started very well into the clash, but we lacked overall in penetration. We also conceded two unnecessary goals and travel home empty-handed," Mainz captain Danny Latza said.

The following fixtures are scheduled for Saturday: front runners Bayern Munich host Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund clash with Augsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt meet Hertha Berlin, Union Berlin take on Borussia Monchengladbach, Werder Bremen see bottom side Schalke, and runner up Leipzig face third placed Bayer Leverkusen.