When Phillip Tietz made the move to Mainz during the winter transfer window, he trusted his instincts. Now, that gut feeling has paid off in the best possible way.

The striker played a pivotal role in Mainz's tense 2-1 victory over St. Pauli, a result that officially secured the club's Bundesliga safety. Speaking after the match, Tietz admitted the closing stages were anything but comfortable.

"In the end, you could see that St. Pauli were really pushing," Tietz said. "Sitting on the bench, I was definitely feeling the tension together with my teammates."

The forward, whose presence on the pitch proved influential, also gave credit where it was due. "The defenders didn't make it easy for me today. But the credit also goes to my teammates, who put me in good positions."

Beyond the match itself, Tietz reflected on the decision that brought him to Mainz in January—a move that has since been vindicated. "It was a gut decision to join Mainz in the winter," he explained. "At the time, I had a clear feeling that Mainz wouldn't be relegated. Today we're celebrating staying up—it's a really great team and a great coach with Urs Fischer. Now we'll focus on the remaining games."

With survival secured, Mainz can now approach the final fixtures of the season with confidence and clarity—something Tietz believed in from the very beginning. For fans and players alike, this triumph is a testament to the power of trust, teamwork, and a well-timed winter transfer.