FSV Mainz 05 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund were given a scare when Mainz 05 played incredible football during their superb Bundesliga clash. Despite being booked as the favourites, the BVB struggled to break through Mainz’s defence while they were forced to defend deep.
However, goals from Paco Alcacer and Lukas Piszczek ensured that the league leaders would remain on top of the table. The quality of Bundesliga 2018 highlights you will find if you watch this game in full is amazing: both sides played great football that is deserving of the hype it got ahead of the game.
Highlights of the game
Borussia Dortmund were big favourites ahead of the game, and the quality of play and possession they showcased during the first minutes of the game was something to behold. The visitors had control of the ball for much of the game’s early minutes.
The BVB had an early crack at goal when Axel Witsel, a key man in Dortmund’s Der Klassiker win, had a great opportunity to score. The Belgium international volleyed from point-blank range in the fourth minute only to see the ball end up being saved by Robin Zentner. Marco Reus had his moment six minutes later when he met a bullet of a cross. Unfortunately for the captain, the ball whizzed wide of the right post.
Dortmund continued to dominate possession from that point on. However, Mainz reminded Dortmund that they were still the away team from time to time. The Karnevalsverein threatened from the 18th to the 20th minute as they attacked the Dortmund goal time and time again. Unfortunately for them, Roman Burki and the Dortmund defence didn’t look stressed at all as they handled Mainz’s attacks.
Witsel gave the Opel Arena crowd a good scare when he unleashed a powerful shot right outside the box, forcing another beautiful save from Zentner. However, it was from that point on that Mainz began playing comfortably, threatening Dortmund’s dominance on the attack. Aaron Caricol’s 27th-minute bullet forced another fantastic save from Burki.
Both teams had opportunities to score from dangerous free-kicks. Reus and Daniel Brosinski took free-kicks from just outside the penalty box and fired straight to the goal. However, both keepers managed to hold onto the football without any problem.
As the first half was coming to an end, the aggressive play from both sides increased as they were hungry for a goal. Mainz especially were playing dangerous football that looked to upset the league leaders while Dortmund were stepping back a bit on the attack. The Dortmund backline was managing to keep Mainz away as the half ended in a goalless tie.
Sandro Schwarz was obviously happy with the way things are going for Mainz, and he likely instructed more of the same from his lads as the second half began. Jean-Philippe Mateta, the club’s top scorer, almost put Mainz forward when he drilled a beautiful shot in the 47th minute, but his attempt was blocked by the Dortmund defence.
Mainz continued their barrage as good ball movements in the part of the Karnevalsverein produced another dangerous attack for Dortmund five minutes later. Danny Latza found himself in the receiving end of good passing, but his shot attempt flew wide of the right post.
The game continued to flow Mainz’s way as they maintained control of the football. They continued making play after play while Dortmund are obviously stifled by the overwhelming pressing game implemented by their hosts. Meanwhile, Mainz were just playing their brand of football.
However, the first goal of the game would come the moment Paco Alcacer came onto the pitch. The Spanish striker, who has recently become a permanent fixture in the club, made a powerful run in the 67th minute while the ever-fantastic Reus was running with the football on the right. The captain made the pass, Alcacer beat the offside trap, and he punched in the opener.
However, Dortmund’s celebrations didn’t last long as Robin Quaison fired an equaliser. A beautiful through pass from Alexander Hack saw the ball end up in Quaison’s feet. He then made a superb low-driven shot past Burki to set the Opel Stadium alight with cheers from the home fans.
Mateta almost upset the pre-game Bundesliga 2018 odds and gave the team the go-ahead when he got into a long ball and made a shot towards goal. Unfortunately for him, his sudden shot flew just wide of the right post.
The winner was soon determined in the 76th minute. On the edge of the Mainz penalty box, a scuffle for the ball was occurring. The ball ended up on the feet of Lukasz Piszczek during the chaos, and the right-back fired a high shot that kindly hit the crossbar and into the goal. The small segment of Dortmund fans that were in the crowd was elated with the second goal.
Mainz tried their best to force a late equaliser, but the Dortmund backline was resolute in their defending and was able to finish the game with a resounding 2-1 triumph.
The game was an important triumph for Dortmund as they continue to establish their dominance at the top of the league. However, this was also a superb showing from Mainz. The hosts shouldn’t hold their heads down because they played better football than the winners.
Key statistics
Borussia Dortmund had 64% of ball possession, but Mainz’s superb defensive scheme forced them to make only 11 shot attempts. Meanwhile, Mainz were especially dangerous as their 15 shots troubled the Dortmund backline plenty of times.
Roman Burki had to make six key saves in order to secure the three points, while the BVB as a whole had committed 11 fouls. However, their defence was on point as they caught the Mainz attack in their offside trap four times.
What’s next?
SBOBET punters and passionate Bundesliga fans will be looking forward to the next games for these two teams.
Dortmund have an interesting game ahead when they play against Club Brugge in what would be a game that will secure their spot in the knockout stages. They would then face Freiburg in the league next. Meanwhile, Mainz will have a chance at redemption against Fortuna Dusseldorf and Hannover 96.
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