In the friendly behind closed doors at the Bruchwegstadion, Mainz 05 lost 3-0 to FC Köln.
It all started well for our Zerofivers, and Pablo De Blasis had a shot saved by the feet of Köln keeper Sven Müller after just two minutes. However, the visitors then started to look like the more dangerous side. After a corner, striker Anthony Modeste headed just wide of the post (21‘), and 05 goalkeeper Jonas Lössl deflected a free-kick with his foot (24’).
During a counter attack in the 25th minute, Yunus Malli crossed to Christian Clemens, who quickly shot over the bar. At the other end, Artjoms Rudnevs went past Lössl and tried a shot from a tight angle, but the keeper managed to get in the way (26‘).
Then the ball went back towards the visitors‘ goal, but Mergim Mavraj got in the way of a cross from Clemens (31’). Fabian Frei then called Sven Müller into action with a headed effort, and the resulting corner caused another dangerous situation (34’). That was the most worrying spell for Köln, and they deservedly took the lead shortly afterwards. Mainz gave the ball away on the halfway line and Artjoms Rudnevs’ pass found Leo Bittencourt, who made it 1-0 (35’). Five minutes later, Lössl prevented Rudnevs friom making it 2-0, and they went into the break with just one goal between them.
Head coach Martin Schmidt brought on Jhon Córdoba for Pablo De Blasis at half-time, whilst Köln made a number of changes. The only outfield player left on the pitch was goalscorer Bittencourt, and he showed why shortly after with his second goal of the game, making it 2-0 (56’).
The Zerofivers then made a double change: Suat Serdar (for Rodriguez) and Yoshinori Muto (for Malli) provided some fresh legs (65’). A few minutes later, Martin Schmidt also brought on Alexander Hack, Pierre Bengtsson, Gerrit Holtmann and Jairo (72.).
The visitors remained the more composed team in the second half and in the 81st minute, Simon Zoller set up Yuya Osako to make it 3-0.
Mainz 05 3-0 FC Köln
Mainz: Lössl – Brosinski, Bell, Balogun (72’ Hack), Bussmann (72’ Bengtsson) – Frei (81‘ Halimi), Rodriguez (65’ Serdar) – Clemens (72’ Jairo), Malli (65’ Muto), Onisiwo (72’ Holtmann) – De Blasis (46’ Córdoba).
Köln: S. Müller – Olkowski (46’ Klünter), Sörensen (46’ Maroh), Mavraj (46’ Heintz), Rausch (46’ Mladenovic) – Risse (46’ Zoller), Hector (46’ Höger), Lehmann (46’ Özcan), Bittencourt – Rudnevs (46’ Osako), Modeste (46’ Jojic).
Goals: 1-0 Bittencourt (35’), 2-0 Bittencourt (56’), 3-0 Osako (81’)
Referee: Patrick Alt