FSV mount second-half comeback in 3-1 win over Bayern

A hard-fought second-half performance saw 1. FSV Mainz 05 overturn a 1-0 deficit to win 3-1 at home against record champions FC Bayern München. Sadio Mané’s opener was cancelled out by Ludovic Ajorque, with Leandro Barreiro and Aarón also adding their names to the scoresheet. An inspired performance from the hosts ensured that the sold-out crowd at the MEWA ARENA had plenty to celebrate on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Bo Svensson made one change to the starting XI following last weekend’s 1-1 draw in Cologne, with Jae-sung Lee replacing Anton Stach.

Leandro Barreiro (l.) celebrates after putting Mainz 2-1 up.

Prior to kick off, Stefan Bell received a special tribute from the club after making his 250th Bundesliga appearance for the club last weekend. The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening minutes, although FSV were able to cause problems to their build-up play by pressing the record champions hard. The first chance of the afternoon belonged to Bayern, with Mané picking off a poorly timed back pass from Barreiro. The striker was through on goal and laid the ball off to Thomas Müller, with Silvan Widmer getting back just in time to block his shot (14’). Shortly after, Mané had the ball in the back of the net, but his goal was rightly called offside (15’). Bayern certainly looked the more likely to score at this point in the game, averaging over 80% possession in the opening moments. Mainz were forced to defend deep and only had their first chance at a goal in the 26th minute. Barreiro dribbled his way through the Bayern backline, but his shot only hit the side netting.

Bayern take the lead

The next chance also belonged to the Zerofivers, as Lee won the ball off Josip Stanisic and squared it to Barreiro. His shot was then blocked for a corner by Kimmich (28’). Just as it seemed as though Mainz had found their footing, the visitors took the lead. Joao Cancelo sent a cross towards the far post, where Mané was waiting to head in the opener (29’). The Zerofivers quickly shrugged off this initial setback, and put their efforts into a concentrated defensive performance. The team continued to wait for opportunities to switch over and attack quickly, such as in the 43rd minute when Karim Onisiwo was through on goal after a pass from Lee. Our number nine was unfortunate to slip at the edge of the box, as the chance evaporated. Mainz headed into the break chasing a 1-0 deficit.

Mainz are now unbeaten in their last 10 games, setting a new club record in the process.

Efforts rewarded in the second half

Svensson made one change at the break, bringing on birthday boy Aarón for Anthony Caci. The first chance after the restart came when Onisiwo crossed the ball into the box, where Ajorque just missed the target with a one-time effort (49’). The Zerofivers continued to throw their efforts into attack, with a shot from Aarón sailing just wide of the right post (54’). Bayern captain Thomas Müller then missed with his weaker left foot after finding himself with space at the top of the box (56’). Mainz looked far more aggressive and alert in midfield than in the first half, as they kept Bayern to a handful of chances.

Mainz made their second substitution in the 64th minute, as Anton Stach came on to replace Dominik Kohr, who had already picked up a yellow. The Zerofivers saw their efforts rewarded a minute later as Ajorque headed in a loose ball right in front of the face of goal – a deserved equaliser, and one that put the team in the mood to score more.

The lead would then change hands in the 73rd minute, as Onisiwo was able to find Barreiro inside the box. His shot beat goalkeeper Yann Sommer and bounced off the post and into the back of the net – 2-1 Mainz. The home crowd was on their feet, as the Zerofivers turned the game back in their favour. Four minutes later, Svensson brought on Marcus Ingvartsen and Aymen Barkok for Lee and Ajorque. The Zerofivers did not sit back and defend, however, but instead continued to push hard to add to their lead. Aarón crowned his birthday with a goal of his own, powering home a shot from the edge of the penalty box that left Sommer with no chance (79’). Buoyed by the vocal support from the stands, the Zerofivers were determined to not let their lead slip. Zentner was on hand to save an injury-time shot from Mathys Tel (90’+3), but that would go on to be the final chance of the day. Mainz celebrated a 3-1 win against the league leaders, their third straight victory on home soil in this fixture. FSV are now unbeaten in their last 10 games, a new club record in the Bundesliga. The win also takes them to 45 points from 29 games, keeping us in sixth place for now.

Next weekend, Mainz travel to Wolfsburg as they prepare to close out matchday 30 (17:30 CEST).

A hard-fought second-half performance saw 1. FSV Mainz 05 overturn a 1-0 deficit to win 3-1 at home against record champions FC Bayern München. Sadio Mané’s opener was cancelled out by Ludovic Ajorque, with Leandro Barreiro and Aarón also adding their names to the scoresheet. An inspired performance from the hosts ensured that the sold-out crowd at the MEWA ARENA had plenty to celebrate on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Bo Svensson made one change to the starting XI following last weekend’s 1-1 draw in Cologne, with Jae-sung Lee replacing Anton Stach.

Prior to kick off, Stefan Bell received a special tribute from the club after making his 250th Bundesliga appearance for the club last weekend. The visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening minutes, although FSV were able to cause problems to their build-up play by pressing the record champions hard. The first chance of the afternoon belonged to Bayern, with Mané picking off a poorly timed back pass from Barreiro. The striker was through on goal and laid the ball off to Thomas Müller, with Silvan Widmer getting back just in time to block his shot (14’). Shortly after, Mané had the ball in the back of the net, but his goal was rightly called offside (15’). Bayern certainly looked the more likely to score at this point in the game, averaging over 80% possession in the opening moments. Mainz were forced to defend deep and only had their first chance at a goal in the 26th minute. Barreiro dribbled his way through the Bayern backline, but his shot only hit the side netting.

Bayern take the lead

The next chance also belonged to the Zerofivers, as Lee won the ball off Josip Stanisic and squared it to Barreiro. His shot was then blocked for a corner by Kimmich (28’). Just as it seemed as though Mainz had found their footing, the visitors took the lead. Joao Cancelo sent a cross towards the far post, where Mané was waiting to head in the opener (29’). The Zerofivers quickly shrugged off this initial setback, and put their efforts into a concentrated defensive performance. The team continued to wait for opportunities to switch over and attack quickly, such as in the 43rd minute when Karim Onisiwo was through on goal after a pass from Lee. Our number nine was unfortunate to slip at the edge of the box, as the chance evaporated. Mainz headed into the break chasing a 1-0 deficit.

Efforts rewarded in the second half

Svensson made one change at the break, bringing on birthday boy Aarón for Anthony Caci. The first chance after the restart came when Onisiwo crossed the ball into the box, where Ajorque just missed the target with a one-time effort (49’). The Zerofivers continued to throw their efforts into attack, with a shot from Aarón sailing just wide of the right post (54’). Bayern captain Thomas Müller then missed with his weaker left foot after finding himself with space at the top of the box (56’). Mainz looked far more aggressive and alert in midfield than in the first half, as they kept Bayern to a handful of chances.

Mainz made their second substitution in the 64th minute, as Anton Stach came on to replace Dominik Kohr, who had already picked up a yellow. The Zerofivers saw their efforts rewarded a minute later as Ajorque headed in a loose ball right in front of the face of goal – a deserved equaliser, and one that put the team in the mood to score more.

The lead would then change hands in the 73rd minute, as Onisiwo was able to find Barreiro inside the box. His shot beat goalkeeper Yann Sommer and bounced off the post and into the back of the net – 2-1 Mainz. The home crowd was on their feet, as the Zerofivers turned the game back in their favour. Four minutes later, Svensson brought on Marcus Ingvartsen and Aymen Barkok for Lee and Ajorque. The Zerofivers did not sit back and defend, however, but instead continued to push hard to add to their lead. Aarón crowned his birthday with a goal of his own, powering home a shot from the edge of the penalty box that left Sommer with no chance (79’). Buoyed by the vocal support from the stands, the Zerofivers were determined to not let their lead slip. Zentner was on hand to save an injury-time shot from Mathys Tel (90’+3), but that would go on to be the final chance of the day. Mainz celebrated a 3-1 win against the league leaders, their third straight victory on home soil in this fixture. FSV are now unbeaten in their last 10 games, a new club record in the Bundesliga. The win also takes them to 45 points from 29 games, keeping us in sixth place for now.

Next weekend, Mainz travel to Wolfsburg as they prepare to close out matchday 30 (17:30 CEST).