Zerofivers overcome RCD Mallorca B in first friendly

admin tarafından yayınlandı

21 June 2023, 00:15 yayınlandı

Mainz’s winter training camp got off to a solid start on Wednesday evening as Svensson’s side beat RCD Mallorca B 3-1 in the first of two friendlies this week. Victor Lázaro gave the hosts the lead in the 28th minute, before Brajan Gruda equalised around 20 minutes from time (70’). Leandro Barreiro then put the Zerofivers 2-1 in front (79’), before David Mamutovic put the game to bed a couple of minutes later (81’). Bo Svensson was relatively satisfied with his side’s showing after the game: “I didn’t think we were too bad in the first half but we got into our game a bit more in the second and the lads did well,” explained the gaffer.

Laux and Rupil start

The head coach had to be somewhat creative with his line-up on Wednesday evening as four of the 24 players present at the training camp were unavailable for selection against the Spanish fourth-tier side. Karim Onisiwo (foot), Stefan Bell (thigh), Danny da Costa (illness) and Alexander Hack (illness) were all unable to take part.

This left the door open for some of the youngsters to showcase their talents. Lucas Laux and Timothé Rupil of the Mainz U23s started the game and Mamutovic and Kaito Mizuta from the U19s played the second half.

Mallorca lead at the break

The makeshift Mainz side started the game well and had early chances through Delano Burgzorg (5’) and Timothé Rupil (6’). FSV then threatened the Mallorca goal after Aarón whipped in a typically dangerous corner (18’). Finn Dahmen was called into action shortly before the 20 minute mark after the hosts caught Mainz on the counter. The goalkeeper, however, stood strong and successfully dealt with the one-on-one. A few minutes later the hosts took the lead through Lazaro after he beat Niklas Tauer and Aarón to get on the end of a cross (27’).

Mainz looked to push forward after going behind and Angelo Fulgini threatened with a free-kick on the half hour mark. They then came came close after efforts from Anthon Stach (31’) and Rupil (37’). Dahmen also made another save from a Marcos Fernandez effort to keep it at just one (38’). “I saw some good stuff in the first half but we were missing a few things at the top of the pitch, things that we did better in the second half,” reflected Svensson.

Mainz turn it round in the second half

The Zerofivers looked energised after the break and had numerous chances in the opening stages. Gruda (51’), Laux (54’), Bobzien (59’) and Mamutovic all had opportunities to get the equaliser (61’). The leveller eventually came through Gruda, who profited from a great Bobzien assist to make it 1-1 (70’).

Imanol Alonso was sent off for the hosts shortly after Mainz got back on level terms (71’) and FSV put their numerical advantage to good use. Barreiro nodded home a Shabani cross (79’), before Mamutovic rounded off the win a couple of minutes later (81’). “The young players who featured in the second half payed really well,” reflected the boss after the 3-1 win. It was an overall satisfactory performance for the Zerofivers, who showed great fighting spirit to turn the game around.

Back in action on Saturday

Mainz are next in action on Saturday, when they are set to face RCD Mallorca A at 12:30 CET.