There was no match against this bulwark: RB Leipzig despaired of the defensive performance of 1. FSV Mainz 05, which scored an important point in the fight to stay in the Bundesliga.
The around 40,000 fans in the Leipzig Arena saw the first excitement in an otherwise leisurely game after eleven minutes of play. Lois Openda dribbled his way into the 16 and then chipped the ball halfway into the center. However, Mainz defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen stood in the way and cleared the ball for a corner. Referee Frank Willenborg spontaneously pointed to the penalty spot. He noticed a handball.
But the VAR intervened. And decided what was actually clearly visible at the original speed: the Mainz player had played the ball with his chest and not his arm. So there was a corner instead of a penalty.
To the live ticker: Leipzig – Mainz arrow right 27th matchday arrow right
Mainz builds a defensive bulwark
And the game remained goalless. It now became clear to the fans: RB was faced with a game of patience. Mainz, who lost 8-1 in Munich in their last away game, focused exclusively on defensive work. Coach Bo Henriksen’s team built a defensive bulwark that was washed away.
In the 36th minute, however, the visitors’ massive defense was played out: David Raum had sent a sensitive cross from the left and hit the onrushing Openda. But he placed his header far too centrally. From eight meters he basically headed at 05 keeper Robin Zentner.
Stefan Schönau, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 6:23 p.m
Leipzig lacks speed and imagination
In the second section, it was initially the same picture: Mainz was solid at the back, Leipzig, despite their field superiority, lacked the idea and probably also the decisive pace in the attacking third to create real scoring opportunities.
And yet after 54 minutes the score was actually 1-0. Xavi Simons had passed sharply inside from the left corner of the penalty area. The ball flew past friend and foe and hit the right post on its way into the goal.
Florian Eib, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 6:58 p.m
FSV keeper Zentner makes an excellent save
The Mainz defenders now tested their luck – and forced their keeper to do great things. In the 60th minute, Zentner defused a header from Dani Olmo from close range. There were 19:2 shots on goal after a good hour – although most of these shots were harmless.
Stefan Schönau, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 5:46 p.m
RB coach Marco Rose brought in Yussuf Poulsen and Benjamin Sesko – fresh forces for the attack. And indeed: In the 86th minute, Sesko had the score 1-0. Played free by Olmo, he was free through – but he too failed because of the hundredweight that fell out.
No penalty for Mainz
And as it happens: Mainz almost got a penalty in stoppage time. Xaver Schlager hit Jonny Burkardt on the foot on his own 16-line – but referee Willenborg didn’t think enough of it for a penalty. So it remained 0-0 – one point won for Mainz and two lost for Leipzig.
Stefan Schönau, Sportschau, March 30, 2024 7:21 p.m
Leipzig in Freiburg, Mainz against Darmstadt
The Leipzig team will be guests in Freiburg on the next match day. Mainz is challenged in the basement duel against Darmstadt (both Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.).
