RBL draw 1-1 in Mainz
Ingvartsen opens the scoring | Nkunku scores deserved equaliser | A passionate second half | RBL now unbeaten in three in all competitions
RB Leipzig took a point from their away fixture against Mainz 05 on matchday 9 after the match finished 1-1. Given the team’s second-half performance, the result was more than deserved.
Both teams were resolute at the back at the start of the game, with neither able to find a way through their opponent’s defence. The first chance of the game fell to Amadou Haidara, whose 18th-minute header struck the post. Mainz then began to pose more of a threat, but Janis Blaswich made some terrific saves to keep the scores level. Our goalkeeper was, however, finally beaten in the 45th minute, as Marcus Ingvartsen coolly slotted home into the far corner.
RBL got stronger and stronger as the second half progressed, and Mainz were barely able to get out of their own half. Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner both missed good opportunities to equalise (62’, 63’), before Christo, who was making his 150th competitive appearance for RBL, headed in the leveller in the 80th minute. Our team then went searching for a winner but were unable to do so.
Statistics
FSV Mainz 05:
Zentner - Aarón, Stach (86' Fulgini), Lee (65' Barreiro), Onisiwo, Ingvartsen (65' Burgzorg), Caci, Fernandes (82') Bell, Widmer (C) (46' da Costa), Kohr, Hack
RB LEIPZIG:
Blaswich - Orbán (C), Haidara, Forsberg (79' Poulsen), Werner, Szoboszlai (73' Silva), Nkunku, Halstenberg, Schlager (73' Kampl), Diallo, Henrichs
REFEREE:
Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)
GOALS:
1-0 Ingvartsen (45'), 1-1 Nkunku (80')
YELLOW CARDS:
Hack (2) | Forsberg (1)
Attendance:
28,000.
First-half highlights
KICK-OFF!
There are six changes to the side that started against Celtic, with Péter Gulácsi, Mohamed Simakan, Joško Gvardiol, David Raum, Kevin Kampl and André Silva replaced by Janis Blaswich, Abdou Diallo, Marcel Halstenberg, Benjamin Henrichs, Amadou Haidara and Emil Forsberg. The captain’s armband has been handed to Willi Orbán.
1ST MINUTE:
The RBL players warm up wearing "Come Back Stronger" t-shirts with the number "1" and the name "Gulácsi" on the back as a message of support to the injured goalkeeper.
3RD MINUTE:
Mainz venture forward for the first time. They win their first corner, but it’s picked out of the air by Janis Blaswich.
6TH MINUTE:
Both teams are still finding their feet. Our newly-formed back-four has looked solid so far, but Mainz are also keeping things very tight through the middle.
10TH MINUTE:
The first real threat in the RBL box. Lee delivers a fizzing cross, but Onisiwo is just shy of getting on the end of it.
14TH MINUTE:
We're still looking for a way through the robust Mainz defence. We're yet to find that way through, and are lacking that final pass.
18TH MINUTE:
Almost the opening goal! Christopher Nkunku crosses and finds Amadou Haidara, whose header has Zentner beaten, but the ball comes back off the post. The follow-up from Emil Forsberg is fired just wide.
20TH MINUTE:
We've stated to get used to our opponent's game plan, and are having more success in winning back possession quickly.
21ST MINUTE:
Mainz have their first shot. A cross from the left is met by Ingvartsen, but he can’t trouble Blaswich.
22ND MINUTE:
Closer this time. Onisiwo cuts inside and looks to find the bottom corner, where Blaswich is quick to get down and tip the ball around the post!
25TH MINUTE:
Another good save required from the RBL goalkeeper, this time using his feet to keep out Lee from an angle.
29TH MINUTE:
We lose possession too easily in the build-up, but the defence does well to avert the danger.
32ND MINUTE:
Aarón Martin is attempting several crosses from Mainz's left flank, and RBL are having to work hard over there to defend them.
35TH MINUTE:
The game has calmed down again somewhat. Our team continues to close down the space well, but there's not much happening in an attacking sense.
38TH MINUTE:
Both teams are neutralising the other's midfield, but neither are gaining much territory from it.
42ND MINUTE:
Better from Leipzig. Christo plays a clever ball in behind towards the run of Forsberg, however, Zentner is on his toes and gets there first.
45TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR MAINZ:
Stach’s solo run and ball in behind has Leipzig beaten, with Ingvartsen running onto it and finishing into the far corner to make it 1-0.
HALF TIME
It was a fairly even first half with openings for both teams, but the sucker punch right on the stroke of half time means our boys will have to up their game after the break.
Second-half highlights
46TH MINUTE:
We’re back underway without any changes for RBL.
48TH MINUTE:
The hosts have seen more of the ball since the break and are looking to attack Leipzig's goal.
54TH MINUTE:
The ball is in the back of Mainz’s net after Diallo turns home a free-kick from deep by Halstenberg, but the flag goes up for a marginal offside call.
57TH MINUTE:
Mainz continue to pose a threat on the left flank, but our defence is able to clear a cross for another corner.
59TH MINUTE:
RBL's first bit of quality play in the second half. Domi gets the move going with a chipped pass to Christo, who drives into the penalty box, but he is unable to get a shot away.
62ND MINUTE:
A huge opportunity to level the scores. Domi feeds Christo in behind, and his first-time shot is smothered by the on-rushing Zentner.
63RD MINUTE:
Yet another golden chance! It’s Timo Werner one-on-one with Zentner this time after some silky football, but again the Mainz keeper makes a quality save.
66TH MINUTE:
We're turning up the pressure now and are gaining the upper hand in the game. An equaliser is looking more and more likely.
70TH MINUTE:
Mainz are dropping deeper now and space opens up for Haidara to try his luck from range. The ball is deflected behind for a corner though.
73RD MINUTE:
Double change from Marco Rose. Kevin Kampl replaces Xaver Schlager, while Dominik Szoboszlai makes way for André Silva.
76TH MINUTE:
Leipzig are playing exclusively in Mainz's half, but we're making it difficult for ourselves to create any clear-cut chances.
80TH MINUTE, GOAL FOR RBL:
Finally! Marcel Halstenberg’s cross finds Nkunku in the centre and he brilliantly heads home the equaliser.
82ND MINUTE:
We're not satisfied with a draw, we want a winner. Mainz continue to drop deep.
86TH MINUTE:
Onisiwo has a massive chance in front of goal, but the whistle has already blown for offside.
90TH MINUTE:
There will be four minutes of added time.
94TH MINUTE:
Full time in Mainz. It finishes 1-1.