FSV pick up a point in Darmstadt

1. FSV Mainz 05 picked up a point on Saturday afternoon following a goalless draw away at Darmstadt 98. In what was probably a deserved goalless draw, the 05ers started the game well without making the most of their initial superiority. After a first half that lacked chances, there was more action in front of goal after the break, with the hosts looking the most likely to snatch all three points in the closing stages.

Jan Siewert made four changes from last weekend’s win against Leipzig: Phillipp Mwene, Danny da Costa, Tom Krauß and Ludovic Ajorque came into the starting eleven in place of the injured Josuha Guilavogui, Edimilson Fernandes, Anthony Caci and Marco Richter (all on the bench). Dominik Kohr started the game in the middle of the back three, but he repeatedly moved into midfield during the game, primarily during FSV’s build-up play.

Barreiro with the only chance

FSV began courageously and had control of the game during the opening stages, but they didn’t really threaten. Leandro Barreiro had the first chance of the game after twelve minutes as he picked up a good position just outside Darmstadt’s penalty area, but his left-footed effort from 16 yards went just over the bar. The hosts mainly tried to break Mainz down with long balls and they looked to rely on opportunities to counterattack, but they didn’t initially get many chances to do so due to Mainz’s well-organised defence. The game became increasingly cagey since neither team wanted to risk gifting the opposition big chances with simple errors in this relegation clash. There was very little action in both penalty areas following the exciting start to the game. It was no surprise that the game remained goalless at the break given that Barreiro’s effort in the opening minutes was the only notable chance in the first half.

Pictures from the Böllenfalltor

Neither side made a change at the break, with FSV once again having the first chance in the second half. Karim Onisiwo received the ball just outside Darmstadt’s penalty area in the 51th minute and got the better of his man, but his shot from 20 yards went just wide of the left post. Oscar Vilhelmsson found himself through on goal shortly afterwards following a pass from Fabian Nürnberger, but he fired over the bar from about 14 yards out (53’). The game now seemed to be picking up pace, with da Costa getting to the byline and putting in a cross a minute later, but Mwene was unable to get on the end of his delivery with the goal gaping (54’). After a lively start to the second half, the game lost its rhythm once again. Siewert reacted after an hour and brought Brajan Gruda on for Ajorque as he made his return from injury.

FSV once again threatened Darmstadt’s goal in the 72nd minute, with Barreiro seeing his attempt blocked, before Kohr’s follow-up effort from the edge of the box narrowly missed the target. However, the hosts had their best opportunity of the game shortly afterwards as Marvin Mehlem countered quickly after Barreiro had lost the ball, before he set Vilhelmsson away. The young attacker bore down on goal, but van den Berg was able to get back to deny Vilhelmsson as he tried to round Zentner (80’). FSV were certainly fortunate to go unpunished on this occasion. Both sides continued to get chances in the final third as Caci went close to providing Mainz with the opening goal after coming on for Mwene. However, the Frenchman’s effort went just over the bar (83’). The 05ers were under pressure once again five minutes later. The recently introduced Aaron Seydel, who was once on FSV’s books, set up his strike partner Fraser Hornby with a headed pass, with his teammate forcing Zentner into his first save of the game (88’). The visitors then had a big chance of their own as da Costa set up Lee in the opposition box, but he tried to square the ball to Onisiwo rather than shooting himself. Unfortunately, the ball didn’t reach the Austrian, with a Darmstadt player managing to intercept Lee’s pass (89’). The game turned into an end-to-end battle in the closing stages as Zentner was forced into another save in the last minute to secure a point for FSV. Mehlem was unable to get anything on Fraser’s square ball, but the ball arrived at substitute Mathias Honsak’s feet at the edge of the box and FSV’s goalkeeper made a brilliant save to keep out his shot. The final whistle blew shortly afterwards to bring this hard-fought, tense game to a close, with Mainz’s point meaning that they are now unbeaten in two games and have also kept back-to-back clean sheets. However, the 05ers are still towards the bottom of the table with seven points from eleven games. 

FSV are in action away at TSG Hoffenheim after the international break (26 November, 17:30 CET).

DARMSTADT 98 0-0 MAINZ 05 

Darmstadt: Schuhen - Bader, Zimmermann, Müller, Klarer, Nürnberger - Franjic, Mehlem, Skarke (83’ Honsak) - Pfeiffer (61’ Hornby), Vilhelmsson (83’ Seydel)
FSV: Zentner - da Costa, van den Berg, Kohr, Leitsch, Mwene (72’ Caci) - Barreiro, Krauß (86’ Barkok) - Lee, Onisiwo, Ajorque (66’ Gruda)

Goals: /

Attendance: 17,810
Referee: Daniel Siebert