Strong display earns no more than a point for the 05ers

Despite an impressive performance from 1. FSV Mainz 05 for nearly the full 90 minutes of their Easter weekend clash with VfL Wolfsburg, they only came away with a 2-2 draw when all was said and done. The visitors made their efforts count on two occasions, firstly early on through a long-range strike from Maximilian Arnold. Jae-sung Lee and Dominik Kohr both netted to turn the game around before half-time but wasted chances after the break ultimately came back to haunt the 05ers as Denis Vavro rather fortuitously found the target shortly before the final whistle.

Bo Henriksen made two changes from his line-up that started the defeat away to Hoffenheim last time out. Nadiem Amiri and Jonny Burkardt were forced to miss the previous fixture but returned from the off against Wolfsburg in place of Phillipp Mwene (muscle strain) and Paul Nebel (suspended).

Mainz lead at half-time despite Wolfsburg’s fast start

The MEWA ARENA was in full voice as FSV looked to continue their pursuit of European qualification on matchday 30. However, hopes of an enjoyable afternoon of football in sunny Mainz received an early blow thanks to a goal from Maximilian Arnold fewer than 180 seconds following kick-off. The Wolfsburg skipper was afforded too much room around 30 yards out and he caught Robin Zentner on the back foot as his strike nestled in the corner for 1-0 (3’).

The 05ers looked for an immediate response to what was a slow start and the contest quickly developed into a highly-entertaining affair. Both sides were creating chances but the home side just about edged things in terms of controlled possession. Just two minutes after falling behind, Mainz were nearly put level by Moritz Jenz; although, the defender’s outstretched foot was not quite able to make contact with Amiri’s free-kick delivery (5’). Nelson Weiper then looked to lob the ball over Kamil Grabara when one-on-one with the visiting keeper under 60 seconds later but failed to get the requisite purchase on his effort.

More than 30,000 Mainz fans watched on as their side aimed to turn things around, with the returning Amiri acting as a figurehead for his team. He unleashed the next shot from range, around 25 yards out, but directed his hit just too high (10’). The hosts could not let up in their defensive efforts either as the Wolves sought a second but Zentner was able to block an attempt from Mohammed Amoura, with the forward free in front of goal on 18 minutes. The Egyptian then tried his luck with his head from the resulting corner, only narrowly missing the target.

Mainz were somewhat fortunate not to be two goals behind in this high-octane clash but momentum swung in their direction on the half-hour mark. Dominik Kohr looked to pick out Jae-sung Lee in the box at the end of a flowing move but his cross was ever so slightly overhit. Wolfsburg kept up the pressure as they aimed to stay in the running for Europe, with Zentner needed to deny Arnold his second from 20 yards out, turning the ball over the crossbar with his fingertips (30’). The Mainz shot stopper had played a key part in keeping the away side’s lead to just one goal, allowing his team to find the equaliser just moments later. They did so in some style as Caci and Amiri played through the press to find Weiper in a central position. The striker slipped in Lee with an incisive through ball and the South Korea international finished coolly for 1-1. The MEWA ARENA atmosphere went up a notch as the leveller hit the net and the fans were to receive further cause for celebration just a few minutes afterwards. An Amiri corner delivery reached Kohr seven yards from goal and he made enough contact to direct the ball over the line and complete the first-half turnaround (40’). Mainz took a narrow advantage into the break but there was much football still to be played.

05ers fail to make sure of things

The two teams emerged unchanged for the second period. Kevin Paredes fired in the first shot following the restart but missed the target with his effort (48’). That marked the only chance of note for some time during the opening stages after half-time, with both sets of defences seemingly better set-up than beforehand. Moritz Jenz had the first opportunity for the home team when played in on goal by Weiper, but the defender found the right-hand upright in his way (59’).

Mainz could have been pegged back shortly afterwards as Wolfsburg looked to equalise, but Amoura lacked precision with his delivery on the counter-attack (61’). The second half matched the first in terms of intensity albeit without producing the same number of goalscoring chances. Henriksen made a double change ahead of the closing period, with Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Hyunseok Hong entering the fray as Weiper and the yellow-carded Kohr made way (76’). The substitutions nearly provided the impetus for a third and decisive goal, as Caci drew a fine save following superb work in the build-up from Kaishu Sano before Hanche-Olsen himself saw his headed attempt from a corner also stopped by Grabara (78’). Mainz were playing out well from the back, appearing assured in possession while creating opportunities. However, a further goal to seal the deal remained absent. Amiri and Caci combined well to set up Burkardt for his 16th of the season but Arnold prevented the shot from heading on target.

FSV were punished for their ineffectiveness in front of goal shortly before the conclusion of regulation time. The away side had failed to produce much in the way of real attacking threat for some while but a second goal from a corner-kick ultimately saw the match end all-square. Arnold’s delivery found the head of Vavro. His effort seemed to be directed straight at Zentner but Caci’s attempted clearance diverted the ball past his own keeper (89’). Mainz so nearly found the perfect and immediate response to this late setback at the start of stoppage time, but Lee failed to direct his strike on target from close range after Burkardt played the ball right to his feet (90+1’). The final whistle sounded soon afterwards to confirm the single-point haul which moves Mainz onto 47 after 30 rounds of fixtures. An away trip to face FC Bayern München is next on the agenda for FSV this coming Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CEST) before Eintracht Frankfurt visit the MEWA ARENA eight days later (4^th May, kick-off 19:30 CEST).