Quick-fire double from VfB before the break costs FSV the game

1. FSV Mainz 05 fell to a 3-1 defeat away at VfB Stuttgart on Sunday. Mainz began the game strongly and caused VfB plenty of problems in the opening half an hour, but they were unable to find the opening goal on several occasions. The key moment in a largely even game came in additional time at the end of the first half when the more efficient Stuttgart struck twice through Maximilian Mittelstädt and Jamie Leweling. Denis Undav extended the hosts’ lead in the second half, before Ludovic Ajorque got a consolation goal from a set piece.

Jan Siewert made five changes from the draw against Union Berlin in the week, some of which were enforced. Andreas Hanche-Olsen, Josuha Guilavogui, Dominik Kohr, Merveille Papela and Jessic Ngankam came into the side in place of Danny da Costa, Edimilson Fernandes, Tom Krauß, Leo Barreiro (all on the bench) and Karim Onisiwo (ankle problems). Additionally, Silvan Widmer wasn’t in the matchday squad due to flu, whilst Phillipp Mwene missed out with back pain. Guilavogui played in the middle of the back three in this 5-4-1 system, with Sepp van den Berg and Hanche-Olsen playing either side of him, whilst Papela and Anthony Caci looked to make an impact going forwards on the flanks.

Plenty of chances for FSV, VfB strike twice before the break

The game got off to a rapid start: Denis Undav had the first attempt of the game after just 30 seconds when he took on a first-time effort from ten yards from Enzo Millot’s low cross, but his shot was straight at Robin Zentner (1’). FSV had their first attack of the game shortly afterwards when Papela set Jonny Burkardt away down the right flank, with Caci hitting the outside of the left post from his cross (2’). It was a decent start to the game, with the visitors not sitting back whatsoever, consistently providing an attacking threat and looking to go forwards with purpose. This energetic start to the game was suddenly disrupted after eight and a half minutes when Deniz Aytekin was forced to call the game to a halt due to tennis balls being thrown onto the pitch. The action resumed after 15 minutes, whilst it became clear that there would be a significant amount of time added on at the end of the first half. Mainz were the better side following the resumption and should have taken the lead with their next opportunity: Caci released Ngankam on the left-hand side and the new signing played a delicate ball into Papela’s path, but he was unable to get a clean connection from close range and missed the target (21’). FSV were well in the game and were putting in a lively performance, but they needed to stay wide awake when Stuttgart put together their passing moves. The hosts then threatened again in the 25th minute when Chris Führich squared the ball to Atakan Kazaror at the edge of the box, but his right-footed shot from 15 yards went narrowly wide of the right post – Zentner would’ve been able to make a comfortable save had the shot been on target. Nevertheless, Mainz remained the more threatening side during this phase of the game. After half an hour, Kohr found space on the right-hand side and had the vision to pick out the onrushing Burkardt in the centre, but Burkardt failed to connect with the ball. However, this left Ngankam in a good shooting position, but he was unable to get a shot off from 14 yards as Stenzel got a foot in at the last second (34’). Caci put in a cross to the back post from the subsequent corner, which was played short by Nadiem Amiri, and Ngankam once again found himself free, but he was unable to get a meaningful touch with his head as Mainz missed another chance to take the lead (35’). 

FSV almost squandered a promising opening 40 minutes to the game after Papela lost the ball to Millot after his own corner. The Frenchman then played Führich one-on-one with Zentner, but 05’s number 27 reacted brilliantly to keep his side on level terms (41’). Unfortunately, Stuttgart would be more clinical with their next opportunity. Stenzel put a cross in from the right wing, which Mittelstädt brought down and slotted into the far corner, giving Zentner no chance (45+2’). The opener knocked Mainz for six and Stuttgart capitalised on this to double their advantage just three minutes later. Stenzel found himself in acres of space in midfield and picked out the perfect pass to Leweling. Stenzel chipped the ball to the winger, who shook off Caci and smashed the ball past Zentner from ten yards out (45+5’). Zentner came to his side’s rescue once again in the eighth minute of added time, as he produced a fantastic save with his feet to deny Leweling (45+8’). As the first half drew to a close, Mainz looked like a shadow of the side that had started the game so brightly and went into the break trailing 2-0.

No quick response from FSV as Undav compounds misery

Siewert reacted to the quick-fire double with three substitutions. Barreiro, Marco Richter and Jae-sung Lee replaced Papela, Kohr and Ngankam as the second half got underway. Despite the 2-0 score line, both sides looked evenly matched, just as they had done in the first 45. Caci had the 05ers’ first chance of the second half, though his shot from the edge of the box posed Fabian Bredlow no problems (52’). At the other end of the pitch, Zentner pulled off yet another fantastic save, this time to deny Leweling. It was clear that Mainz were looking to get a quick goal to reduce the deficit, but they just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net. Amiri had a go from range in the 54th minute, but it was a comfortable save for Bredlow. Mainz had registered nine shots to Stuttgart’s eight after about an hour, but their statistical edge didn’t translate over to the score line. The hosts were now dominating possession, while FSV struggled to get the ball to their attacking options. Their next promising move came in the 68th minute, but once again the finish wasn’t there. Caci’s cross found Barreiro via Burkardt and the Luxembourg international fired goalwards from around 18 yards out, but his effort was straight at Bredlow. Ajorque was equally unfortunate four minutes later, as he saw his header go inches wide of the post following another great ball from Caci (72’).

The game seemed to be over in the 73rd minute. Undav latched onto a long ball forwards and slipped past Tom Krauß, before sending Zentner the wrong way and smashing the ball into the back of the net to further extend VfB’s lead. Mainz responded almost immediately, however, as Amiri whipped a ball into the box. Guilavogui flicked the ball on and Ajorque headed home to make the score 3-1 and give Mainz a glimmer of hope. Despite throwing everything they had at Stuttgart, the 05ers lacked the firepower to get another goal and the score line remained unchanged until the final whistle.

VFB Stuttgart 3-1 MAINZ 05

VfB: Bredlow - Stenzel (62’ Vagnoman), Anton, Ito, Mittelstädt - Karazor, Stiller (76’ Dahoud), Leweling (62’ Guirassy), Millot, Führich (61’ Rouault) - Undav
FSV: Zentner - Papela (46’ Richter), van den Berg, Guilavogui (84’ Gruda), Hanche-Olsen (70’ Krauß), Caci - Kohr (46’ Barreiro), Amiri, Ngankam (46’ Lee), Burkardt - Ajorque

Goals: 1-0 Mittelstädt (45+2’), 2-0 Leweling (45+5’), 3-0 Undav (73’), 3-1 Ajorque (76’)
 

Officials: Deniz Aytekin (Christian Dietz, Eduard Beitinger, Florian Exner, Patrick Hanslbauer)