Unbeaten streak comes to an end after 3-1 defeat against BVB

1. FSV Mainz 05 saw their six-game run without defeat ended at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Sunday evening. 

Despite an evenly-match first half, the hosts were able to take a 2-0 lead into the break after capitalising on two moments of inattention from the 05ers. After managing to get a goal back through Paul Nebel after the break, Mainz were ultimately left empty-handed after a 3-1 defeat. 

Dortmund go 2-0 up before the break 

Bo Henriksen needed to make two changes to his starting line-up to replace the suspended Dominik Kohr (red card) and Phillipp Mwene (fifth yellow of the season). Andreas Hanche-Olsen started as part of a back-three, while Silvan Widmer began at right wing-back. 

The 05ers headed into the match unbeaten in their last six games and looking to build on their strong form from before the international break. The hosts were able to record the first chances of the game, as Karim Adeyemi hit the side-netting from a tight angle (7’). Maximilian Beier then narrowly missed the target from a header just two minutes later. Mainz were then able to get their first sight of goal, as Paul Nebel managed to cut the ball back to Jae-sung Lee in front of goal. The midfielder was unable to connect fully with the ball, however, and had to watch as his shot went over the bar (10’). Both teams were looking for opportunities to counter quickly after winning possession, but lacked precision in the final third. Nico Schlotterbeck looked to catch Robin Zentner out with a shot from range, but the FSV goalkeeper was able to parry his attempt away from danger (25’).

The visitors, who were able to count on the support of the nearly 4,500 fans that had made the trip from Mainz, managed to see more of the ball in the minutes that followed. BVB, meanwhile, continued to wait for opportunities to counter using the pace of Adeyemi and Beier. The hosts managed to take the lead in the 39th minute, as Adeyemi found himself with space in front of Robin Zentner. He laid the ball off for Baier, who only needed to tap in to give BVB the lead. Shortly after, Emre Can was able to head in at the far post following a corner from Schlotterbeck (42’). The 05ers headed into the half-time break trailing by two goals, with chances few and far between in the opening half. 

Not dangerous enough in front of goal 

Svensson didn’t make any changes at half-time, as Jonny Burkardt managed the first shot of the half, although it went wide of the target. Moritz Jenz then managed to direct a header towards goal but had to watch as it went over the bar. The 05ers continued to create chances on goal, including three efforts in quick succession from Widmer, Nebel and Burkardt that were denied by either Gregor Kobel or a BVB defender (60’). 

Hyun-seok Hong and Niki Veratschnig were then brought on for the final 25 minutes, as Widmer and Lee departed the pitch. While FSV were able to see more of the ball in this phase but were unable to generate much of a threat on goal. Zentner made a strong reaction save to deny Adeyemi one-on-one, keeping the 05ers in the game (71’). The goalkeeper was beaten for the third time on the resulting corner, as Beier managed to net his second of the night with a header (72’). Despite the setback, the 05ers continued to look for ways back into the match. Nebel was able to get to the ball inside the box and slotted home a low shot to get one back for the visitors (76’). As the closing minutes of the match approached, Pascal Groß nearly managed to net a fourth for the hosts, but was denied by the post. Svensson brought Arnaud Nordin and Armindo Sieb in to the match late on, but the fresh legs were unable to prevent Mainz from falling to defeat. In the end, FSV fell to their first defeat since late January.

The 05ers currently have 45 points from 27 games and are in fourth place. Next weekend, they will host Holstein Kiel at the MEWA ARENA on Saturday, 5th April (15:30 CEST).