27th matchday
Zero number against Mainz: Leipzig is desperate for hundredweight
RB Leipzig (white jerseys) had to be content with a 0-0 draw against Mainz. photo
© Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
With a win against Mainz, Leipzig wants to increase the pressure on premier class rivals Dortmund. But the Saxons don’t hit the goal.
With an unsatisfactory zero number RB Leipzig at least temporarily overtook Borussia Dortmund in the fight for the Champions League, but did not increase the pressure immensely.
After the goalless draw against relegation-threatened FSV Mainz 05, Leipzig is in fourth place only thanks to the better goal difference. A point in the top game of the Bundesliga against Bayern Munich is enough for BVB to displace the Saxons again.
In front of 44,813, Leipzig struggled for a long time, then missed the best opportunities and repeatedly despaired of Mainz keeper Robin Zentner. Mainz has been waiting for an away win since April 1, 2023. That was achieved – of all places – in Leipzig. In the last three duels, Mainz had not lost against RB and even had two wins. This time you should also be happy with the point.
Leipzig coach Marco Rose apparently speculated on a quick lead. In any case, he ordered Christoph Baumgartner into the starting line-up after his seven-second goal for Austria. However, after seven seconds it was still 0-0 and nothing changed until the break.
Leipzig were already in the lead after just eight minutes. A cross pass from Lois Openda was blocked by Andreas Hanche-Olsen in the penalty area for a corner. But referee Frank Willenborg identified a handball by the Norwegian and awarded a penalty for Leipzig. According to video evidence, this was justifiably conceded because the Mainz defender only got the ball on his hip.
The Leipzig holiday weather with temperatures of 23 degrees didn’t exactly speed up the game. Mainz, which had not won away from home for almost a year, defended securely and also set a tone on the offensive. Openda initially had the best chance, but Robin Zentner parried his header from a few meters with a foot save.
The Leipzig fans were still cheering in stoppage time in the first half. But only briefly. Because Willenborg did not give Openda’s goal (45th + 1) due to an offside position. And when the ball fell at Xaver Schlager’s feet in the penalty area (45th + 3), Zentner was once again in top position and prevented the deficit. By then, Leipzig had had 65 percent possession of the ball and had eight shots on goal – without any return.
Leipzig continued accordingly angry and with pressure on the lead. Willi Orban’s header (50th) missed the goal, Kevin Kampl’s shot (51st) was too weak. And Zentner somehow wiped Xavi Simons’s fantastic shot (54th) out of the corner with a brilliant move. Zentner also fended off Dani Olmo’s header (59th) from four meters.
Rose had seen enough and brought in fresh strikers a good 20 minutes before the end. Benjamin Sesko and Yussuf Poulsen replaced Openda and Baumgartner. However, the desired effect did not materialize and the game even had fewer chances. In the 86th minute, however, Sesko appeared free in front of Zentner – but the winner was once again Mainz. On the other hand, Leandro Barreiro (88th) missed the lucky punch for the guests by just centimeters. And the video evidence didn’t help either. After Xaver Schlager fouled Jonathan Burkhardt on the edge of the penalty area, there was no penalty in stoppage time.