05ers lose heavily in Bremen

1. FSV Mainz 05 fell to a 4-0 defeat away at SV Werder Bremen on matchday 3 of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season. An early goal from the penalty spot from Marvin Ducksch (3’) and a header from Jens Stage shortly after the half-time break (53’) ensured that the 05ers were behind for almost the entire duration of the game despite the fact that there were long spells of balanced play. Two goals straight after each another from Leonardo Bittencourt (82’) and Justin Njinmah (84’) sealed FSV’s fate shortly before full time. 

A first start for Gruda

Head coach Bo Svensson made three changes from last weekend’s clash against Eintracht Frankfurt. Andreas Hanche-Olsen returned to the starting XI in place of Maxim Leitsch, whilst Brajan Gruda, who made his first start in the Bundesliga, and Karim Onisiwo replaced Nelson Weiper and Anton Stach after his move to Hoffenheim.

Behind with the first move of the game

The game started in the worse way imaginable for the 05ers as the hosts got forward quickly with a switch between Romano Schmid and Dawid Kownacki. The Werder attacker received the ball in Mainz’s box and squeezed a toe-poke through to Ducksch. Referee Robert Schröder deemed Hanche-Olsen to have prevented Ducksch from having a shot at an open goal with his challenge (2’) and consequently pointed to the penalty spot, awarding the Mainz centre-back an early yellow card simultaneously. Ducksch himself stepped up and slotted home Werder’s first goal of the season in the third minute of the game.

Action-packed first half without any further goals

A lively, balanced game with chances at both ends developed after Werder’s early goal. Unfazed by the early deficit, the 05ers managed their first noteworthy effort through Karim Onisiwo after good work in the build-up from Jae-sung Lee (5’) and had another good opportunity 20 minutes later – once again from the Austrian. At the other end, Robin Zentner made a great save from a stunning strike from Jens Stage from about 20 yards out (8’).

A lovely exchange between Onisiwo and Gruda in midfield led to Mainz’s best chance of the half as Gruda set Lee away, however Jiri Pavlenka was able to make the save from the South Korean’s shot from the left side of the box. Mainz’s following corner almost led to their own downfall as Bremen countered quickly, turning defence into attack. The first-time effort from the unmarked Schmid flew just over Zentner’s bar from only six yards. 

Zentner keeps Mainz in the game

Even though Mainz continued to threaten with their attacking play, they were left to thank their goalkeeper that the margin between the sides didn’t increase in the last few minutes before the break. After replacing the injured Ducksch, substitute Nick Woltemade was twice denied by Zentner when one-on-one with the keeper (33’/39’), whilst Kownacki also found the side netting with a first-time effort (43’).

Bremen score early once again

The 05ers started the second half on the front foot and looked to be gaining control of the game. However, the hosts once again scored an early goal: Mitchell Weiser was given too much time and space to pick out a cross. The Bremen winger found Stage arriving at the back post with his curling delivery, and he put the ball past Zentner with his header from a tight angle (53’). 

Spurred on by their second goal of the day, SVW were now able to slow the game down, with a large part of the action being played out deep in Mainz’s half. They also had an opportunity to make it 3-0 through Amos Pieper. The centre-back put his header just wide of the Mainz goal from a free-kick (66’).

Bremen’s subs wrap the game up

Marco Richter, Tom Krauß and Nelson Weiper entered the fray in a triple change from Svensson and helped to reinvigorate the 05ers’ attacking efforts, although Mainz remained toothless in front of goal. Onisiwo was unable to find Weiper or Leandro Barreiro in the centre with a ball into the box, whilst a free-kick from Fernandes hit the wall (80’).

At the other end, Mainz were stung by Bremen’s subs as they landed two knockout blows in the closing minutes of the game. First, Njinmah Bittencourt was the provider (82’), before he scored himself two minutes later and sealed Mainz’s fate. Consequently, the 05ers are still waiting for their first win of the season, which they will hopefully manage after the international break when they play VfB Stuttgart at home. 

WERDER BREMEN 4-0 MAINZ 05

Werder Bremen: Pavlenka - Pieper, Stark, Friedl - Weiser, Schmid, Groß (76‘ Lynen), Stage (76‘ Bittencourt), Jung - Kownacki (76’ Njinmah), Ducksch (23‘ Woltemade)

Mainz 05: Zentner - Mwene (66’ Krauß), Fernandes, van den Berg, Hanche-Olsen (45‘ Bell), Caci – Kohr (84’ Papela), Barreiro - Lee (66‘ Richter). Onisiwo, Gruda (66’ Weiper)

Goals: 1-0 Ducksch (3‘), 2-0 Stage (53‘), 3-0 Bittencourt (82‘), 4-0 Njinmah (84’)
Referee: Robert Schröder