RBL 0-0 Mainz 05 – Lots of chances, no goals.

Goalless draw.

The first chance came in the eighth minute. After a cross from Lois Openda, referee Frank Willenborg initially awarded a penalty. But the video evidence showed the ball hit Mainz defender Sepp van den Berg on his thigh and not his hand. Shortly afterwards, Willi Orban had a good headed opportunity (12th).

RBL were superior and the visitors defended well. In the 36th minute, Lois Openda headed past Robin Zentner in the Rheinessen box. Leipzig increased the pressure again: Our number 17 was just offside when he scored in first half stoppage time, and a little later, Zentner held strong against Xaver Schlager.

In the second half, RBL returned to the pitch in determined fashion. Willi Orban headed again and Kevin Kampl’s shot from range tested Zentner, who was in top form. He directed a Xavi shot onto the post in the 55th minute, beoree he was on hand to catch Dani Olmo‘s header in the 59th minute.

In the 72nd minute, Yussuf Poulsen missed a well floated cross from Dani Olmo as Leipzig kept pushing. Mainz gained control before Benjamin Sesko was unable to take advantage of a solo effort (86′). In the 88th minute, Leandro Barreiro suddenly appeared in the Leipzig penalty area. But the scoreboard remained 0-0.

BUNDESLIGA | RB LEIPZIG 0-0 1. FSV MAINZ 05

LINEUPS

RBL: Gulacsi – Henrichs (82. Simakan), Orban (C), Castello Jr., Raum – Kampl (82. Seiwald), Schlager – Xavi, Olmo – Openda (68. Sesko), Baumgartner (68. Poulsen, 87. Elmas)

M05: Hundredweight (C) – Van den Berg, Guilavogui, Hanche-Olsen (81st Fernandes) – Amiri, Barreiro, Mwene, Caci (56th Widmer) – Onisiwo (56th Gruda), Burkardt, Ajorque (56th Lee)

RBL unused subs: Blaswich (gk) – Lenz, Bitshiabu, Elmas, Klostermann

M05 unused subs: Rieß (gk) – Richter, Ngankam, Krauß, Papela

YELLOW CARDS

Castello Jr. (3), Xavi (7) | Caci (6), Mwene (4), Amiri (4), Barreiro (6), Hanche-Olsen (2)

REFEREE

Referee: Frank Willenborg (Osnabrück)

Assistant: Guido Kleve (Nordhorn)

2nd assistant: Philipp Hüwe (Korschenbroich)

Fourth official: Richard Hempel (Großnaundorf)

Video assistant: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheim)

ATTENDANCE

44,813 at the Red Bull Arena

The draw vs Mainz

0-0: Post Match

8th minute: First attack

Willi Orban plays a long pass from his own half to Lois Openda, who takes the ball into his path and passes it into the penalty area. Andreas Hanche-Olsen supposedly handles the ball and the referee points to the penalty spot. But VAR overrules it after the replays showed that it hit the Norwegian’s thigh.

12th minute: Orban chance

Our first chance comes from a corner corner. Willi Orban’s header beats Sepp van den Berg to the ball, but unfortunately his header just misses the goal.

18th minute: Olmo from distance

Next chance for the Leipzig boys! Dani Olmo is in space and tries from around 20 meters, Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner is equal to it.

33rd minute: Mainz defend well

RBL have significantly more possession and have not given their opponents any chances. There are still no clear opportunities to score, the Rheinhessen are still very compact overall.

36th minute: Header from Openda

There it was, a big chance! Precisely timed cross from David Raum from the left side to Lois Openda’s head, unfortunately Robin Zentner saved the Belgian’s attempt .

45+2 minute: Openda scores, but it is offside

It’s a shame, the ball is finally in the 05er’s goal. Xavi wins the ball and then it quickly goes over Benny Henrichs. Lois Openda converted his cross, but our number 17 was offside.

45+3 minute: So close!

And another great opportunity comes right after! In the Rheinhessen penalty area, Dani Olmo starts to solo before the rebound lands at the feet of Xaver Schlager. Robin Zentner can also defuse the tough finish.

51st minute: Leipzig double chance!

Our team return to the pitch determined! After a free kick, Willi Orban heads the ball just wide.
A little later, Kevin Kampl takes a shot from distance, the ball is deflected and Zentner saves again.

55th minute: Leipzig with constant pressure

The control is now there for both teams. RBL have one corner after another and there is a scramble in the Mainz penalty area. Zentner steers a Xavi shot onto the post with his fingertips.