Mainz lose in Leverkusen despite passionate display

Despite some hearted defensive work and an improved second half showing, 1. FSV Mainz 05 fell to a 1-0 defeat in Leverkusen. After no goals arrived during the course of the first period, Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo netted the winner for the Werkself shortly after the break from a direct free-kick. A loss in Mainz’s second game of 2025 thus sees them remain on 28 points after 17 matchdays.

Head coach Bo Henriksen had to make a single alteration from his starting line-up for the match against Bochum, with Andreas Hanche-Olsen replacing for Moritz Jenz in defence after he sustained a knock.

Mainz forced into an early change as Leverkusen dominate

Things in Leverkusen took a turn for the worse for the 05ers with just two minutes played when Jonny Burkardt had to be substituted off after picking up an injury. Armindo Sieb took his place in the forward line. The home side then registered the first good chance of the game but Hanche-Olsen was just about able to clear the ball off the line before Exequiel Palacios could prod home (7’). The Werkself then increased their control on the game while also having more possession in Mainz’s half. Nevertheless, the visitors stood strong, defusing Leverkusen’s attacks in time. Another offensive link-up led to Hincapie trying a shot from the left-hand side of the box, only to see his effort zip just wide of the right-hand upright (23’). Mainz’s first attempt arrived in the 28th minute following a throw-in by Anthony Caci. The ball found its way to Stefan Bell, who looked to finish from inside the penalty area, but Leverkusen’s Matej Kovar was in the way to deny the strike.

The Werkself retain control                

Leverkusen continued to have a hold on proceedings, even recording 80% possession at points. Mainz occasionally created counter-attacking opportunities via clearances from deep inside their own half; however, it was the home side who threatened again towards the end of the first 45. Florian Wirtz unleashed a fierce shot from a central position towards the bottom corner but Robin Zentner was equal to it and turned the ball round the post with his fingertips (41’). The Werkself then also had the final opportunity of the opening period when Alejandro Grimaldo found himself with good chance to score following a poor headed clearance. Zentner remained not for beating, though, preventing the ball from entering his net and in turn preserving the clean sheet going into half-time (45+2’).

Grimaldo scores sensationally before the 05ers shift up a gear

Mainz began the second half unchanged before Leverkusen were awarded a free-kick just outside the Mainz penalty area on the right-hand side a few minutes after the restart. Grimaldo stepped up to dispatch the ball right into the top corner to make it 1-0 to Leverkusen (48’). Mainz almost had the perfect, and immediate, response from a corner. Jae-sung Lee volleyed towards goal and although Kovar was able to parry his attempt, the ball rebounded straight to Caci. From close range, however, he could only find the outside of the net (51’). Mainz upped the intensity, threatening more and more. Kaishu Sano received the ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area before seeing his shot deflected by Hincapie, causing it to loop towards goal and requiring Kovar to spring into the air to make the save (57’). However, Leverkusen continued to create chances of their own after taking the lead and repeatedly posed a threat in the final third, particularly from corners.

The hosts keep their hold on the game while FSV can’t force the goal

The visiting side made a double change in the 66th minute, with Nelson Weiper coming on for Sieb while Hyunseok Hong replaced Lee. Weiper in fact had the visitors’ next chance shortly after his substitution. The Mainz striker received the ball on the right and fired towards the near post but Kovar was able to collect (71’). Maxim Leitsch also came on for Stefan Bell and Silvan Widmer for Phillipp Mwene as the match entered the closing stages (80’). Leverkusen were now back in the driving seat, though, having good possession deep in Mainz’s half, although this did not lead to a second goal for the hosts. The final minutes were more even but Mainz could not turn increased possession into further chances and the defeat in Leverkusen was sealed.