Amiri’s stunning free kick sends Mainz through

Mainz 05 celebrated a hard fought 1-0 victory away at second-tier side Dynamo Dresden on Monday night. The hosts dominated the opening exchanges and created more goal-scoring opportunities, but found themselves behind at the break after a free kick from Nadiem Amiri. That goal proved to be enough after Robin Zentner saved a penalty in the second half. 

The first competitive game of the season saw Silvan Widmer lead the 05ers onto the field as captain, taking the place of Anthony Caci at right wing-back, with the Frenchman dropping to the bench. It was a similar situation on the other flank, as Phillipp Mwene was replaced by Arnaud Nordin in the starting eleven. Armindo Sieb was given the nod up front, supported by Paul Nebel and new signing Benedict Hollerbach.

Dresden threaten, Amiri strikes

The hosts made the better start in the first half, with Kofi Amoako testing Robin Zentner after just 30 seconds. The FSV number one had no problem dealing with that attempt, before he was forced into a fantastic reflex save after a header from Niels Fröhling following a Dominik Kother cross (3’). It was noticeable that the hosts had already played two league games this season and were eager to make up for losing in both of them. The opening exchanges were a struggle for Mainz and it took 11 minutes for them to create their first chance of the game from a corner. Nadiem Amiri’s cross was met by Stefan Bell, whose header from the penalty spot was collected by Tim Schreiber. Dynamo kept up their pressure, keeping FSV penned into their own half, and then two moments of individual brilliance broke the siege and put the 05ers in front. A great run by Paul Nebel saw him fouled around 25 yards from goal, with Amiri stepping up to take the free kick. The set-piece specialist lifted it up and over the wall and into the Dresden goal off the inside of the post (22’). Two minutes later, the second-division side had a chance to equalise, however Fröhling was unable to direct his effort on target.

The game became more even with regular chances for both teams, as Amoako tested Zentner again on the half-hour mark before Nebel missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 up the other end. The midfielder made his way into the box and found himself completely alone in front of Schreiber’s goal, but was denied by the goalkeeper’s foot (32’). The 05ers’ lead was now no longer against the run of play as they looked to expand their control. Towards the end of the first half, Hollerbach played a perfect cross into Nebel, who headed goalwards, however Schreiber pulled off an excellent reaction stop (41’). The hosts had another chance just before the end of the half, as Kother’s attempt from ten yards was unable to find its way past Zentner (45’+1). Kaishu Sano then latched onto a rebound at the other end but dragged his shot wide of the post (45’+3), leaving FSV with a narrow 1-0 lead after an entertaining first half.

Zentner saves the day

Bo Henriksen made a change for the restart, bringing Maxim Leitsch on for Bell, and the visitors looked dangerous from the off. After some great play between Nebel, Sieb and Hollerbach, the ball found itself at the feet of Arnaud Nordin, who fizzed it just wide of the far post (48’). Despite it still being a competitive affair, there were much fewer chances after the change of ends. The 05ers made substitutions early on and were disciplined, whereas the hosts began to look leggy as the second half played out. Around the hour mark, Henriksen brought on Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Bob Bobzien for Domink Kohr – who was on a booking – and Hollerbach. Bobzien had an unfortunate start to his game, as the ball struck the top of his arm in the box, leaving referee Florian Badstübner no choice but to point to the spot. Jakob Lemmer stepped up to take the penalty, only for Zentner to outwit him and make a straightforward save (66’).

Sano had the chance to put Mainz further ahead five minutes later, but his deflected effort was easily kept out by Schreiber. Shortly after Lee entered into this tense affair in place of Nebel and 11 minutes before the end, Henriksen made his final substitution with Leonard Maloney replacing Amiri. FSV wanted to see out the game, whereas Dynamo were looking to force extra time. Seven minutes before the end, it was Zentner again who was on hand to deny Luca Herrmann's shot from the edge of the penalty area, before Bobzien missed from around 20 yards at the other end (83’, 84’). In a hectic last few minutes, Bo Henriksen was shown a red card for preventing a Dresden player from taking a quick throw-in after assuming it was a Mainz ball. The 05ers had to take a deep breath in the final minute when a long ball reached Lemmer, who had missed the penalty, however the attacker lost his nerve again in front of Zentner and the ball ended up in the side netting (90’).  It would prove to be the last chance in this tense encounter, as 1. FSV Mainz 05 advanced to the second round of the DFB-Pokal. In the end, only the result mattered in the first competitive game of the season. 

A trip to Trondheim on Thursday awaits the 05ers next, before they begin their Bundesliga campaign on Sunday afternoon (15:30 CEST) against 1. FC Köln at a sold-out MEWA ARENA.