New coach, new luck: After Bo Svensson’s resignation, FSV Mainz 05 has landed the much-needed liberation under interim coach Jan Siewert. The passionate Rheinhessen team fought to win 2-0 (0-0) against RB Leipzig on matchday ten and celebrated their first win of the season.
While Mainz sent an important sign of life with goals from Jae-Sung Lee (76th) and Leandro Barreiro (82nd, according to video evidence), Leipzig suffered their next setback as defending champions three days after their second-round exit in the DFB Cup. The Saxons will face Red Star Belgrade again in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Mainz had turbulent days behind it. On Thursday, FSV veteran Svensson resigned as coach after the weakest start to the season in the club’s history and the cup exit, and the previous U-23 coach Siewert took over “until further notice”. Added to this was the ongoing turmoil surrounding striker Anwar El Ghazi, who is now being investigated by the Koblenz Public Prosecutor’s Office on initial suspicion of incitement to hatred. On Friday, Mainz terminated El Ghazi’s contract without notice.
Special game
“Bo’s wish was that we play a special game against Leipzig,” said sports director Christian Heidel: “That’s the greatest gift we can give him.” And the Mainz team’s desire was evident. They were toxic in the duels and didn’t allow Leipzig to develop despite their advantage in possession.
The game therefore initially only took place between the penalty areas, with RB striker Christoph Baumgartner (20th/25th) becoming dangerous for the first time. In Mainz’s harmless offensive, the injured Brajan Gruda, the only bright spot of the past few weeks, was sorely missed. Leipzig also had little or nothing to do, both goalkeepers had a relaxed first half.
After the break there was more fire as Mainz now dared more. Lee (47th) took the 05er’s first shot on the Leipzig goal, albeit too harmlessly. Things got tricky for the first time when Xavi Simons (58th) shot from a distance, Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner made a strong save.
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Leipzig increased the number of hits more and more, Mainz took advantage of the confusion surrounding a supposed Leipzig corner to quickly counterattack, Dominik Kohr (66th) narrowly missed making it 1-0. As a result, RB pushed for victory, but Mainz repeatedly came up with dangerous counterattacks. Lee completed one in an exemplary manner, and a short time later Barreiro followed up with a header.
