Leitsch equalises late in crazy contest at Stuttgart

1. FSV Mainz 05 fought determinedly on Saturday afternoon to grab a 3-3 draw away to VfB Stuttgart in what was a memorable 90 minutes at the MHPArena. Again, they demonstrated their ability to come from behind, as has been a trend of the start to the season. VfB deservedly went 2-0 up early on through goals from Enzo Millot and Jamie Leweling, while Amiri converted a penalty shortly before the break to get Mainz right back in it and completely change the game. The hosts responded to Jonny Burkardt’s equaliser after just over an hour through Fabian Rieder's free kick, but Maxim Leitsch levelled things up once more in stoppage time, sending the 2,500 travelling Mainz fans into raptures.

Bo Henriksen decided to put his faith in one of the three recent signings from the off, immediately drafting Hyunseok Hong into the starting line-up. Karim Onisiwo dropped to the bench as a result. The 05ers’ head coach also made another change, favouring Stefan Bell over Leitsch, who had needed to come off early against Union the previous weekend and began as a substitute for this one.

VfB profit from FSV’s disorder

Mainz started aggressively, pressing high from the outset and endeavouring to keep Stuttgart on their toes, as Henriksen had signalled before the game. However, this strategy did not seem to be working initially, with Deniz Undav firing off the first shot of the game from around 30 yards out, which Robin Zentner spectacularly pushed over the bar (3’). From the following corner, a chaotic melee ensued in the 05ers’ penalty area, with the ball eventually rolling back to Undav, who forced Zentner into his first real save from 11 yards out (4’). It did not take VfB long to halt Mainz’s initial surge, and they took the lead with their third chance of the match. Stuttgart were able to link up far too easily through midfield, starting in their own half. Undav crossed to Chris Führich who was waiting in the box and his shot was superbly blocked by Zentner, however the keeper was ultimately powerless to deny Millot’s rebound (8’). Throughout the entire play, the Mainz defence was caught lacking. This was a similar pattern in the minutes that followed, with Stuttgart looking dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line. The home side remained patient before being ruthless to capitalise on the next invitation. VfB keeper Alexander Nübel pumped the ball up the pitch, but Andreas Hanche-Olsen completely misjudged the flight, allowing Leweling to run through and give Zentner no chance from 14 yards to make it 2-0 (15’). However, for as much as the Norwegian’s mistake led to the goal, his fellow defenders offered no back-up either.

The 05ers were guilty of not taking risks and their only attempts were half-baked shots from distance through Lee and Amiri. Stuttgart remained by far the more dangerous side and went closer to a third goal after half an hour than FSV had been to a goal back. In the 29th minute, Führich set up Undav on the edge of the box, but the Germany international’s shot went just wide of the right-hand post. Shortly afterwards, Burkardt had the visitors’ first real chance of note, which would have reduced the deficit out the blue. Jae-sung Lee drove unchallenged with the ball through the centre of the pitch and released the pass to his captain at the right moment. He did not have much time to react though and ultimately failed to beat Nübel from close range (33’). The move appeared to spark FSV’s attack into life. Just two minutes later, Amiri tried his luck from almost 35 yards out, but the Germany goalkeeper was also equal to his shot, despite it being an awkward one to deal with (35’). The 05ers had finally found their feet in the game, though, and had become much more secure defensively, as well as making their first strides in attack. In the 43rd minute, FSV made it 2-1, which had not looked like happening for much of the contest. Burkardt was brought down when running alongside Millot in the penalty area and referee Timo Gerach did not hesitate for a second before pointing to the spot. Amiri took responsibility, beating Nübel and reducing the arrears (43’). Mainz even had the opportunity to equalise in the final minute of the first half, but Anrie Chase intercepted Hong’s cross in the direction of Lee, who would have only had to slot home (45’). After an eventful first half, VfB held on to their narrow lead.

Two equalisers needed

Leitsch came on for Bell at half time to provide more pace to help deal with the threat of Stuttgart's attacks. However, the hosts should have scored again early on, and the pattern of the first period seemed to have re-emerged. Undav received the ball 30 yards from goal and sent Millot through on goal. However, he could not beat Zentner and then put the rebound wide as well (51’). Amiri had the next chance for the 05ers shortly afterwards, when FSV were awarded a free kick from an almost identical position to the one that handed them the lead against Union last Saturday. However, no wondergoal arrived on this occasion and the ball sailed over the bar (54’). Stuttgart were again the more threatening side in the opening stages, with Leweling forcing Zentner into another brilliant save from 20 yards out in the 57th minute. The visitors got back into the game though during this period and were rewarded for their much-needed improvement after just over an hour. Following a fine attack, the ball found Phillipp Mwene on the left wing, who sent Hanche-Olsen into the penalty area. His cross may have been a weak one, but it was good enough to find Burkardt, who headed in from eight yards out to equalise at 2-2 (62’). There were more chances to come yet for both sides in this highly entertaining clash. Firstly, Leweling was given the room to shoot at goal once more, but again could not beat the strong Zentner (65’). Five minutes later, the ball was in the back of the VfB goal again. Mwene, from his own half, played Burkardt in towards the target and the captain finished with ice-cold precision, but the academy graduate was offside by a matter of inches.

The closing stages continued in a similarly exciting and intense manner, with Armindo Sieb and Silvan Widmer coming on for Mainz in place of Wong and Caci. Stuttgart carried on searching for goal number three, taking the initiative with countless crosses and corner kicks, all of which FSV were able to deal with. With five minutes to go, the pressure from the hosts went up another gear in seemingly an instant. Ermedin Demirovic passed to El Bilal Touré, whose cross reached Millot, but Dominik Kohr cleared off the line (85’). The goal which followed to make it 3-2 to Stuttgart was extremely unfortunate in every respect. Gerach awarded VfB a free kick 24 yards from goal for a handball by Lee. The decision was a questionable one, with the ball bouncing off the South Korean’s thigh and onto his arm. Rieder assumed responsibility and struck his attempt against the post, however, the ball rebounded off the woodwork, hit Zentner on his back and then trickled into the goal (88’). But FSV, who had become too passive in the closing stages, did not give up and pushed for another equaliser in the six minutes of stoppage time, and it arrived. Mwene swung the ball into the penalty area, where Widmer crossed perfectly for Leitsch, who scored his first Bundesliga goal in Mainz colours with a header from nine yards. The Mainz jubilation was unbridled. After the final heated moments, the match ended in a draw, which no 05ers player would have thought possible after 30 minutes.

Following a tumultuous 90 minutes with plenty of ups and downs, Mainz take their second point of the campaign in their second match. They will welcome Werder Bremen to the MEWA ARENA on Sunday in fortnight's time.