Outstanding Zentner earns Mainz a point in Leipzig

FSV picked up a valuable point in their fight for survival as they drew 0-0 away at Leipzig on Saturday afternoon thanks to an incredible performance from Robin Zentner in goal. FSV’s number one produced numerous sensational saves to deny the hosts’ attackers, and allowed the 05ers to push for all three points in the closing stages despite a largely passive attacking display.

Bo Henriksen made two changes to the starting eleven from the win against VfL Bochum as Josuha Guilavogui and Karim Onisiwo came into the side in place of Dominik Kohr (one-game suspension) and Jae-sung Lee (just back from international duty with South Korea).

FSV solid defensively, but lacking attacking threat

The visitors began courageously and pressed high in the early stages of the game. The 05ers didn’t win the ball back many times, but Leipzig also didn’t find any gaps going forwards initially. That was until the ninth minute when Benjamin Henrichs set Lois Openda away down the right flank, but the attacker’s ball into the box was deflected behind for a corner by Andreas Hanche-Olsen. That’s what everyone thought at least. Instead, referee Frank Willenborg pointed to the spot due to an alleged handball from the Norwegian. It took three minutes for the officials to come to the conclusion that the ball struck Hanche-Olsen somewhere between the hip and the thigh. The hosts then had their first big chance immediately afterwards. Willi Orban got the better of Sepp van den Berg in the air, but Zentner turned the ball around the post for a corner (12’). Nevertheless, Mainz, who saw less of the ball, were well in the game and carved out their first shooting chance of the game from a free kick. Nadiem Amiri’s free kick reached Jonny Burkardt – in his 100th Bundesliga game – but his header went over the bar (17’). The Champions League side became increasingly dominant in the following stages, with FSV initially forced to sit deep in their own half. However, there were hardly any gaps in Mainz’s backline in the opening half an hour. Whilst the game turned into a test of patience for Leipzig, FSV had to work hard to close spaces down and keep their discipline. This was largely successful, with Leipzig only seriously threatening for the first time after 36 minutes. David Raum did well down the left-hand side and put in a precise cross for Openda, but Zentner was able to keep his header from six yards out with a brilliant reflex save. The game continued in this fashion until the last of three minutes of additional time when Dani Olmo got the better off several Mainz defenders and unleashed a shot from eleven yards, but Sepp van den Berg managed to clear his effort off the line, before Robin Zentner did well to keep out the rebound from Xaver Schlager. The visitors were a little fortunate to go into the break with the game goalless, but it wasn’t totally undeserved due to their largely good, determined performance. 

Zentner keeps Mainz in the game

Both teams returned to the pitch unchanged, whilst little changed in terms of the game’s rhythm. However, the 05ers had the first attempt of the second half when Ajorque tried his luck from 20 yards out in the 47th minute, but Peter Gulacsi was able to make a comfortable save. The hosts were far more threatening at the other end of the pitch four minutes later: Xavi squared the ball to Kevin Kampl just outside the penalty area and Openda managed to get a slight touch on his shot, meaning that Zentner was forced into a spectacular save (51’). The game now developed into a defensive battle for the 05ers. Following a couple of shortly-taken corners, Xavi unleashed a strike from 20 yards, but Mainz’s goalkeeper was able to make an important fingertip save and kept his side level once again. Christoph Baumgartner found himself free at the back post following the next corner, but he was unable to turn the ball home. Bo Henriksen reacted to these chances with a triple change shortly afterwards as he brought on captain Silvan Widmer, Brajan Gruda and Lee for Caci, Onisiwo and Ajorque (56’). The 05ers’ energy levels increased again, but they took a deep sigh of relief once more after just over an hour as they were left to thank Zentner for preserving the clean sheet. Raum put in a cross from the left-hand side, with Olmo getting his head to the ball on this occasion, but he was denied by another sensational reflex save from the 05ers’ goalkeeper (59’).

That was to be the hosts’ last really dangerous opportunity for a while, with Leipzig next going close after 72 minutes. However, substitute Yussuf Poulsen was unable to get on the end of Olmo’s cross into the centre, with the ball going narrowly wide of the target. The game remained goalless heading into the closing stages and FSV once again managed to get forward at this point. First, an effort from Burkardt went over the bar following a solo run (76’), before Gruda failed to make the most of a good shooting position ten yards out after being found by Lee (77’). Leipzig’s pressure had decreased considerably, but it was still clear that a stroke of genius would be enough to find a winning goal. This looked like a possibility in the 86th minute: Xavi played the recently introduced Benjamin Sesko in behind, but Zentner denied the substitute with a fantastic save. Leipzig were almost left to rue all their missed chances shortly afterwards when Mainz created their best chance of the game following some great play. Widmer played a one-two with Burkardt and the captain found Barreiro with a low cross, but the Luexmbourg international shot wide from close range when it seemed harder to miss (88’). The tension went up a notch again in the 90th minute when Burkardt was brought down by Schlager in the penalty area, but Willenborg decided against awarding the 05ers a penalty following a long check. It was once again Mainz who went closer to finding a winner in the last few minutes, but this would’ve been somewhat flattering. Willenborg eventually blew the full-time whistle after Gulacsi made a simple save from van den Berg’s header. 

FSV are now up to 20 points after 26 games following this draw and they’ve got two home games against Darmstadt 98 and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (both Saturday 15:30 CEST) up next.

LEIPZIG 0-0 MAINZ

Leipzig: Gulacsi - Henrichs (82’ Simakan), Orban, Lukeba, Raum - Kampl (82’ Seiwald), Schlager, Olmo, Xavi - Baumgartner (69’ Poulsen, 87’ Elmas)), Openda (69’ Sesko)
FSV: Zentner - Caci (56’ Widmer), Hanche-Olsen (81’ Edimilson), Guilavogui, van den Berg, Mwene - Barreiro, Amiri - Onisiwo (56’ Lee), Ajorque (56’ Gruda), Burkardt

Goals:

Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Frank Willenborg (Guido Kleve, Philipp Hüwe, Richard Hempel, Daniel Schlager)