Mainz miss out on a sixth home win in succession

1. FSV Mainz 05 played out a goalless draw with FC Augsburg at the MEWA ARENA on Saturday afternoon. In an encounter that boasted few highlights, the hosts clearly had the better of proceedings against the Bavarians’ resolute defensive unit. However, they failed to grab the goal to really spark the game into life, but perhaps should have done so early on when Paul Nebel passed up two fantastic chances. Ultimately, the visitors will go home happy with a point, while FSV will be disappointed to have missed out achieving a club record for successive victories on their own patch and on propelling themselves higher up the table after a recent run of five consecutive home wins.

The 05ers’ coaching staff were forced into two changes from the line-up that started the 1-0 defeat away to Werder Bremen. Moritz Jenz came in for the injured Stefan Bell at the heart of the back three, while club captain Silvan Widmer took the place of Anthony Caci on the right flank as the Frenchman served a yellow card suspension.

A clear Statement against racism ahead of kick-off

FSV unable to force the breakthrough

The hosts went into the game as favourites and started out the more energetic of the two sides. Augsburg’s focus remained very much on the defensive side of the game; however, a pair of early opportunities should have seen the 05ers take the lead. Firstly, Paul Nebel latched onto the end of a cross from Phillipp Mwene, but his shot from the edge of the box sailed over (3’). Just three minutes later, the home-grown talent was once again in on goal following a long ball and clever knock-down from Nelson Weiper, playing his teammate in. Nebel saw visiting keeper and former Mainzer Finn Dahmen demonstrate impressive reflexes, though, able to parry away his half-volley from 14 yards out (6’). An enthralling opening phase failed to set the tone for the proceedings, and the game dipped into something of a dull on both sides. FCA unleashed their first strike on around 20 minutes, but Kristian Jakic saw his effort dribble well wide of the target. Two minutes after that and it was the turn of Nadiem Amiri to try his luck from distance following good work from Dominik Kohr to win the ball back. However, Dahmen was once again on hand to rather comfortably gather the attempt (22’).

After 40 minutes of football, the away side had a mere 26% of possession to their name and it was pretty clear from shortly after the get-go that Mainz would need to stay patient in this somewhat uneventful affair. While Augsburg were primarily looking to benefit from long balls, these bore little fruit. Weiper had a fairly presentable headed chance on 38 minutes but found Dahmen in the way once more. The best chance of the opening period arrived right at the end of it – in the fifth minute of stoppage time, in fact. Nebel fired the ball across goal towards a crowd of potential recipients in red. However, neither Kohr, nor Jenz, nor Weiper could apply a telling touch to force the ball over the line. The score line therefore remained 0-0 going into the break, but not for lack of trying from the 05ers. The expected goals statistic, which read 1.78-0.08 in the home team’s favour, told the story of a dominant first 45 minutes.

The 05ers continue their hunt but also have to survive a late scare

FSV made their first substitution at half-time, bringing on Maxim Leitsch for Phillip Mwene, who had suffered a knock to his right foot. The Bavarian visitors registered the first attempt after the restart when Mert Kömür tested Robin Zentner at the end of a quick transition (52’). Besides this one moment of offensive action, the away team were seemingly content with remaining compact and sitting deep in order to preserve the clean sheet. Purely keeping in a defensive block is never a guarantee of not conceding but against an FSV side who looked short on ideas going forward, the chances of doing so were undoubtedly considerable.

The 05ers sought fresh impetus in the 66th minute, with Nikolas Veratschnig replacing Moritz Jenz and Jonny Burkardt making his comeback as he came on for Weiper. The coaching staff gave clear indication of their intention to go all out for a late winner, with no less tenacity on show as FSV kept pushing for a goal to get the 31,000 in attendance off their seats inside a MEWA ARENA with a sold-out home section. Mainz brought on fresh legs once again in the after 80 minutes with January signing Arnaud Nordin taking the place of Widmer, who had been unable to muster up much of note down the right flank.

The inability of FSV to register the breakthrough meant they did suffer a scare five minutes before the full-time whistle sounded when Leitsch deflected an Alexis Claude-Maurice cross onto his own post. Mainz needed several attempts in order to ultimately clear the ball from danger (85’). Burkardt had a shot on the turn shortly afterwards during a bitty closing period, but he was unable to hit the target from 11 yards out (88’). That happened to be the final opportunity in what was a frustrating contest for FSV, since they were by far the more active of the two teams but ultimately were unable to break the deadlock against a visiting team who will no doubt be the happier of the two sides in taking a point back to Augsburg.

The draw moves Mainz onto 32 points with 21 matches played. They are next in action away to 1. FC Heidenheim in just over a week’s time, on Sunday evening (kick-off 19:30 CET). A week later will be the 05ers’ 2025 carnival matchday.