His absence will be most keenly felt by the back-line, his regular partners in distribution and early build-up. At his pre-game press conference, center-back Matthijs de Ligt commented on Neuer’s recent injury omission and deputy Sven Ulreich’s turn at the plate.

Patrick Baier has been part of the coaching team since 2009 and is the longest-serving assistant coach in the Bundesliga.

Sandro Schwarz set up the team in a 4-2-3-1 formation in Ludwigsfelde. Tjark Ernst took his place in goal, while Derry Scherhant also started. Stevan Jovetić, Jessic Ngankam, Dodi Lukébakio, Jonjoe Kenny, Jean-Paul Boëtius (muscular problems), Myziane Maolida, Prince Boateng (knee problems) as well as Maximilian Mittelstädt and Marvin Plattenhardt (adductor problems) missed the game due to injury.

The substitutes: Pentke, Bičakčić, Dabbur, Stiller, Rudy, Becker, Akpoguma, Kramarić, Tohumcu

Press conference ahead of the game in Dortmund

Many expected Mainz’s game against Union on Sunday to be a closely fought contest. The 25,000 fans inside the MEWA ARENA, however, were possibly surprised to have witnessed a very attritional affair, with very little space to play in and it can be said that neither side gave each other an inch. Especially before the break, the game was a gritty, desultory affair with little action in front of goal. “It was a very even first half,” said Martin Schmidt, who didn’t want to commit himself to talking about the “level” of performance after the game. “It was more about the heat level,” explained the Swiss.

VfB visit Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday afternoon in the 100th Bundesliga meeting between the two teams (kick-off 15:30 CET).

Midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj has left VfL Wolfsburg for fellow Bundesliga side FC Augsburg after the Wolves reached an agreement with the ‘Fuggerstädter’ over the sale of the 24-year-old. Rexhbecaj, who has been part of VfL’s first-team squad since 2017/18, spent the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns on loan at 1. FC Köln and VfL Bochum respectively. As well as scoring twice in 32 appearances for the Green-and-Whites in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Europa League, he also made 47 outings for the reserves in the Regionalliga Nord (fourth division).

“We don’t think Lucas Paqueta’s injury is as serious as first feared,” Moyes said.