Mainz fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Schalke 04 on Wednesday evening in front of 58,256 fans at the VELTINS-Arena. Simon Terrode’s first half goal condemned the Zerofivers to their third straight loss in the Bundesliga. It was a tight contest but FSV struggled to assert their authority and clear-cut chances were hard to come by. It was ultimately an important three points for the hosts who are currently in the midst of a relegation battle.
Bo Svensson made only one change from the side that faced VfL Wolfsburg at the weekend, with Danny da Costa coming in for Silvan Widmer at right-back.
Behind at the break after a tight first half
Despite two defeats in two games going into the contest, the Zerofivers were in good spirits as they travelled to the VELTINS-Arena on Wednesday evening. Bo Svensson said before the match that he expected it to be “hectic, emotional and physical,” but it was his side that got off to the better start against a Schalke side who were bottom of the table and without a win in seven games. Lee flicked a dangerous corner onto the back post with just three minutes on the clock, but Marcus Ingvartsen couldn’t quite get on the end of it (3’). The Zerofivers looked relatively in control in the opening stages, but Schalke’s Florent Mollet came close to giving the home side the lead with a free kick from just outside the penalty area (9’). Unfortunately for Mainz, the hosts took the lead just a minute later, when Simon Terodde slotted it past Robin Zentner after he was played through by Alex Kral (10’). Schalke came close to doubling their lead almost straight away, but Alexander Hack managed to impressively clear Terodde’s effort off the line (13’).
As the gaffer predicted a tight, physical and intense contest ensued and FSV looked to find their way back into the game through set-pieces. Ingvartsen once again couldn’t quite get on the end of a cross at the back post (21’), before Da Costa had his effort from close range blocked (23’). Karim Onisiwio then found Ingvartsen in the penalty area with a low cross from the left, but the Dane couldn’t keep it down (25’). Mainz didn’t press with as much conviction as they would have liked and the hosts were allowed to create chances with their simple passes through the middle and their balls over the top. Bütler found Král with a good pass just after the half-hour mark, but the midfielder narrowly missed the target (31’). Svensson was forced into a change just a minute later as Stefan Bell replaced Alexander Hack in the middle of the back three (32’). FSV failed to create any more clear-cut chances in the first half and it was the hosts who deservedly led at the break.
Schalke see out tight win
Jonny Burkardt replaced Jae-Sung Lee at the start of the second half as Svensson looked to broaden Mainz’s attacking options. Despite having three strikers on the pitch, the game remained just as tight. Ingvartsen had FSV’s first real chance of the half in the 54th minute after he was picked out by Jonny Burkardt the penalty area. The Dane, however, couldn’t keep his shot on target and the chance went begging (54’). Karaman then had a golden chance to double Schalke’s advantage but his header from close-range was dealt with by Zentner in the Mainz goal (56’). FSV were sloppy in their build-up play and too often gave the ball away at crucial moments. Svensson made another attacking substitution on the hour-mark when he brought on Angelo Fulgini for Aarón (60’).
Mainz continued to press for the equaliser as the half progressed and Burkardt had two good chances inside a minute. His initial effort was deflected for a corner (65’) and he then couldn’t quite get the desired connection with a free header inside the six-yard box (66’). The gaffer sought inspiration from the bench with Silvan Widmer and Leandro Barreiro coming on for Danny da Costa and Marcus Ingvartsen. In truth, both sides found it difficult to find the cutting-edge and it was turning into a turgid contest. Burkardt had another shot blocked with around ten remaining (81’) before he missed the target with a header (82’). Marius Bütler then had a glorious chance to put the game to bed after he took it round Robin Zentner, but he could only hit the post with the goal at his mercy (86’). Despite six minutes of injury time, the hosts clung on to claim a crucial three points in their fight for survival.
Attention now turns to Sunday as Mainz face local rivals Eintracht Frankfurt at the MEWA ARENA in the final game before the World Cup (15:30 CET).