Eleven goals in Ingelheim

1. FSV Mainz 05 recorded a deserved 11-1 win over Landesliga side SpVgg Ingelheim in their first friendly of the summer. Club partners Ingelheim held their own, particularly in the first 40 minutes, and even took the lead at one point. After Leon Reitemeyers finished off a clinical counterattack, Armindo Sieb bagged a brace and Arnaud Nordin netted a hat-trick to put Mainz in control at half time. Both sides made a host of substitutions at the break, but FSV quickly added to the scoreline and remained watertight defensively. The atmosphere at the Stadion Blumengarten was just as important as making a good start in the first friendly of the summer, however, and the roughly 4,000 fans in attendance got their money’s worth.

After the game, Bo Henriksen said: “This was a great game for us and a brilliant experience for the fans. Our closeness to the supporters was important today. The match wasn’t easy, but it was okay. It was great to see the players out on the pitch. The youngsters also did well, and, most importantly, no one was injured. We gained some fascinating insights. I’m pleased.”

FSV miss chance for early lead and Ingelheim counter quickly

Ingelheim started by bravely pressing high, which allowed Mainz to launch their first counterattack after 60 seconds. Sieb played in Nordin, who fired just over from around 12 yards out (1’). Shortly afterwards, the ball was in the back of the net from a Stefan Bell header, though it was disallowed due to the experienced defender standing in an offside position. Then, in the 16th minute, Ingelheim silenced the Mainz fans. FSV lost possession in the opposition’s box, and the hosts launched a rapid, well-worked counterattack which resulted in Lasse Rieß being powerless to stop Reitemeyers’ strike. The Ingelheim players celebrated this unique moment in their careers accordingly with a pile-on in front of their jubilant fans. The Bundesliga side did not let them rest on their laurels for too long, however, and got back on level terms quickly through some individual brilliance from Sieb (19’). Daniel Imafidon from the U19s almost completed the turnaround three minutes later. His curled effort from around 20 yards out flew just off target (22’). Mainz, whose pre-season began on Wednesday, began to hit their stride as the match continued. In the 26th minute, Anthony Caci’s corner found Benedict Hollerbach in the box. The new signing’s header was initially bundled off the line, before Nordin latched onto the ball on the edge at the box and fired home to put the visitors ahead. After that, it was one-way traffic up until the half-time whistle. With fifteen minutes left of the first half, Hollerbach’s cross looped towards an incoming Nordin, who was not rewarded with another goal for his efforts. His first-time strike did not find the back of the net. The Frenchman would not have to wait long for his second of the match, however. He lined up a shot – this time with his right foot – and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to double Mainz’s lead (42’). A minute later, and Mainz had a fourth. Hollerbach sent Sieb through on goal with a delicate pass, and the forward coolly coverted to make it 4-1. Less than 60 seconds after that, Nordin headed home FSV’s fifth, nodding Caci’s cross past the Ingelheim keeper with precision (44’).

Returnees and U19 champions net

Mainz made eleven changes at the break, and it would be U23 talent Lovis Bierschenk to have the first chance after the restart. His header from Tim Müller’s ball into the box was saved by the keeper (48’). Both players were promoted from the U23s for this match and were part of the side that won the U19 Bundesliga in 2023. So too were Philipp Schulz and Daniel Gleiber, who also lined up alongside them in the second 45. Five minutes into the half, Marco Richter was played in by Ben Bobzien but was denied by a fantastic stop from the Ingelheim keeper. The new-look Mainz side had warmed up and now looked to build on their teammates’ first half display. The next move from Richter and Bobzien, both of whom were returning from loan spells, ended in success. In the 51st minute, Bozien teed up Richter once more, who scored Mainz’s sixth of the afternoon with a placed shot (51’). The next returnee to get on the scoresheet was Edimilson Fernandes whose long-range effort found the back of the net to extend the away side’s substantial advantage (56’). The 05ers looked particularly fired up in this ten-minute spell before the hour mark. Another Müller cross led to another chance, with Bierschenk having a second bite at the cherry and nodding home from eight yards out (58’). The man on the left wing scored the ninth goal himself, as he also headed home from a delivery into the box, this time supplied by Edimilson (60’).

The final 30 minutes was somewhat calmer, with both sides’ play slowing down in the summer heat. FSV only added to their advantage as the game drew to a close. First, goal number ten came courtesy of Bobzien’s poked finish, with Bierschenk wrapping things up afterwards to make the final score 11-1 to the 05ers.

Following their day off on Sunday, the Mainz players will be back to work on Monday with a public training session (10:00 CEST). This Friday (18:00 CEST), they will take on promoted Regionalliga side Bayern Alzenau.

Ingelheim - Mainz 05 1:11 (1:5)

FSV first half: Rieß - Caci, Potulski, Bell, Amann, Nordin - Maloney, Imafidon - Debrah, Hollerbach, Sieb

FSV second half: Batz - Fernandes, da Costa, Schulz, Leitsch, Müller, Gleiber, Bobzien, Richter, Pressler, Bobzien, Bierschenk

Goals: 1-0 Reitemeyer (16’), 1-1 & 1-4 Sieb (19’ & 43’), 1-2, 1-3 & 1-5 Nordin (26’, 42’ & 44’), 1-6 Richter (51’), 1-7 Edimilson (54’), 1-8 & 1-11 Bierschenk (57’ & 85’), 1-9 Müller (59’), 1-10 Bobzien (81’)

Attendance: 4.000

Referee: Fabienne Michel