1. FSV Mainz 05

It was a relatively scrappy affair at the MEWA ARENA on Friday evening when Mainz took on Sandro Schwarz’s Hertha BSC, but it certainly ended with a bang. It looked for all the world that the Zerofivers would fall to a defeat, but substitute Anthony Caci’s injury time strike rescued a point for Svensson’s side. Lucas Tousart gave the visitors the lead in what was a first half with very few chances. Hertha remained resolute throughout the contest and Mainz, who were missing the likes of Jonny Burkardt, lacked the fire power needed to break their opponents down.

The 25,000 fans inside the MEWA ARENA on Friday evening weren’t exactly treated to a spectacle, but they were treated to a last minute equaliser. Substitute Athony Caci rescued a point with the last kick off the game to send the home fans wild. Despite the late drama, it was still a relatively drab affair.

Aarón mastering free-kicks

The Zerofivers fell to a 6-2 defeat at the hands of FC Bayern Munich on Saturday afternoon. Serge Gnabry gave the hosts the lead with just 5 minutes on the clock, before Jamal Musiala doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark. Mainz responded well to going behind and they nearly pulled one back in the 32nd minute, when Jonny Burkardt and Jae-Sung Lee hit the woodwork in quick succession. There was a frantic end to the half with two missed penalties and two goals within just four minutes of each other. Svensson’s side, however, went into the dressing room with a 3-1 deficit to overturn. The Zerofivers came out fighting in the second half, but Leon Goretzka (58’) and Mathys Tel (79’) put to bed any hopes of an FSV comeback. Marcus Ingvartsen grabbed a consolation in the 82nd minute before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting got the hosts’ sixth in the 86th.

Mainz fell to a heavy 6-2 defeat at the hands of FC Bayern on Saturday afternoon. According to captain Silvan Widmer, the Zerofivers weren’t as resolute at the back as they had been in recent weeks. Despite the result, attention now turns to the three remaining games before the World Cup.

Did that first home win provide some more momentum?

1. FSV Mainz 05 have put last weekend’s heavy defeat in Munich firmly behind them and are looking ahead to Saturday’s home game against VfL Wolfsburg (15:30 CET). The Wolves are currently unbeaten in their last six games, meaning Bo Svensson’s side can expect a tough challenge this weekend. “Of course we want to build on the performance against Köln. However, Wolfsburg are a team that are in good form at the minute,” said Svensson, who will have several options to choose from on the weekend.