On Sunday afternoon, 1. FSV Mainz 05 continued their impressive away record this season, recording a comfortable and deserved 3-0 win at newly-promoted Holstein Kiel. As a result, they remain unbeaten on the road in the current campaign. In fact, Bo Henriksen’s team have not lost away from home in nine Bundesliga matches, stretching back to last season. Nadiem Amiri and Jonny Burkardt handed the 05ers a commanding lead at the break, before Jae-sung Lee made sure of things in the second period. Win number four of the season takes Mainz onto 16 points with 11 games played.
After notching the first home win against Borussia Dortmund before the international break, Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen saw no reason to make any changes to the starting line-up. Gabriel Vidovic, who had returned from international duty with an injury to his left ankle, was missing from the squad for Kiel, along with Karim Onisiwo, suffering from a stomach bug, and Nelson Weiper due to muscular problems.
A dominant first-half display
The 05ers started the game with clear wind in their sails following a recent string of good results, maintaining control, both on and off the ball. They came close finding the back of the hosts’ net within the first five minutes, with Burkardt and Kaishu Sano firing off a couple of warning shots on target. FSV did deservedly take the lead in the 11th minute though, through Nadiem Amiri. After a lovely cross from Dominik Kohr, Anthony Caci played the ball to Paul Nebel, who in turn set up Amiri. The central midfielder gave Timon Weiner no chance in the Kiel goal, zipping a precise low shot into the bottom left-hand corner. Mainz looked dangerous as they pressed high, turning the ball over in promising positions, while at the same time hardly allowing anything to be created by the home side.
It was only after around 20 minutes that the ‘storks’ were able to escape Mainz’s griphold on the game, mustering their first opportunity on goal when Phil Harres headed just over from a corner (22’). There was little to come in terms of a fightback, however, as the 05ers ceased to relinquish their control. Nebel unleashed another attempt, which flew wide of the box. Amiri’s free-kick from 20 yards out got significantly closer, but just not quite close enough to beat the crossbar and make it 2-0 on half an hour. When the second did go in, it certainly reflected Mainz’s dominance, with 05ers’ top scorer Burkardt converting from the penalty spot (37’) – a shot from Stefan Bell had struck substitute Armin Gigovic on his outstretched arm. FSV had the chance to put the game beyond doubt even before the break. After a cross from ex-Kiel player Jae-sung Lee, the ball ricocheted off Nicolai Remberg to Bell, who still shot over despite looking dead-on to score. Nebel also failed to beat Weiner one-on-one after Burkardt played him in. Mainz took a deserved 2-0 lead into the break, although it could have been one or two goals higher.
Lee extends the advantage
The story was a similar one at the start of the second half. The 05ers remained attentive without the ball while keeping up an uncomplicated attacking pressure. The third goal soon arrived, and it was the best of the lot. Caci delivered an attempted clearance first time, whipping his cross right in front of the Kiel goal and right onto the head of Lee (53’). After making it 3-0, the South Korean restrained from celebrating on his old stomping ground and he could have even doubled his tally shortly afterwards, going close again with a header. This time, however, Weiner on hand to deny him (56’).
The 05ers had Kiel with their backs to the wall during the coming period, with only the industrious Harres and his substitute strike partner Benedikt Pichler registering a shot on target each. They did little to trouble Robin Zentner, though. The threat continued to be posed at the Kiel end. Phillipp Mwene had only Weiner to beat after Burkardt had set him up, but the home goalkeeper won that particular duel, saving with his left foot (67’). Lee then was handed a well-deserved rest, as compatriot Hyun-seok Hong replaced him in a game that had settled down with the end result already in the bag. The 05ers may have turned the energy down but not their control on the game. Nebel even had the chance for a fourth but missed the target. It remained a comfortable away win, which the Mainz players got to celebrate jubilantly with he travelling fans.
