All square in dress rehearsal against Strasbourg

Although the visitors proved to be the tough test was expected, the 05ers could still be happy with their performance in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with RC Strasbourg. “It was okay,” said Bo Henriksen after the game, although the Mainz head coach did see moments within the game where his team could really improve. The talented team from France gave FSV many problems in the first half with their fast counter-attacking football, with the 05ers being saved by their keeper Robin Zentner. Despite creating chances, Mainz’s attacking football looked sloppy for the most part. The hosts did look threatening at the beginning of the second half, however were unable to break the deadlock. With the French side also carrying less of a threat as the game wore on, the 11,500 spectators at the MEWA ARENA ultimately witnessed a stalemate.

Henriksen: “We are ready for Dresden”

“The main thing is that no one got injured,” said the Dane. “We played well at some points; however, we had a real problem with the high press in the first 15 minutes, and again in the first 15 to 20 minutes of the second half. Generally, I’m pleased, as the game could easily have ended 2-2 or 3-3. For us, it was important that we worked as hard as possible and I think we are ready for the Pokal game against Dresden. Mentally as well this was a good test for the boys against strong opposition,” said Henriksen, also referencing the earlier game in which a different set of players played, emerging 2-1 winners. “The team’s done well. It’s good we have so many players available to play the first game of the season and help us through a busy period this month.” He also ruled out a loan for Ben Bobzien: “He has developed so well and is just getting better and better off the ball as well. He needs to stay.”

Bell rested, Lee back in action

Henriksen chose a starting XI that could potentially feature in the DFB-Pokal game in Dresden on 18th August. Stefan Bell, who missed training and was sidelined with the flu, was left out of the matchday squad, so Maxim Leitsch took over on the left side of the back three. Maxim Dal and Niki Veratschnig are still recovering were also unavailable for selection. There was a return for Jae-Sung Lee, who had to wear a protective mask after breaking his jawbone.

Lots of chances, but no goals in the first half

After the visitors threatened with three dangerous chances in the first ten minutes, the 05ers needed a moment to reorganise, both in possession and against the visitors’ threatening counter-attacking football. Zentner made a great save one-on-one against Emmanuel Emegha resulting in a corner, which was headed over by Junior Mwanga (4’). Five minutes later, the ball was back in the keeper’s arms after an attempt by Joaquin Panichelli. The first Mainz chances came from a driven shot and a 20-yard free kick by captain Nadiem Amiri at around the 15-minute mark, yet the attacking play from FSV was scrappy for the most part. By far the best chance of the half for the 05ers fell at the feet of former Strasbourg player Anthony Caci, whose chance to score against his old club was saved by the feet of Penders (29’).

Shortly after a quick drinks break, Zentner’s goal was one again put under pressure, this time from two shots by Felix Lamarechal (39’, 41’). The keeper was equal to them though, once again showing that the 05ers can rely on him. Shortly before the half time whistle, Benedict Hollerbach won the ball up high, but missed his chance to pull the trigger and have an attempt at goal. The first half remained goalless due to the fact that the best player on the pitch was stood in the Mainz goal, with his outfield teammates unable to make the most of their opportunities. “It was nice to make a few saves today. That’s what I’m there for and that hasn’t been the case much in the previous friendlies, so it was a good way to round off pre-season for me,” said Zentner after the game.

Game flattens out after early momentum 

The hosts made a change during the break, taking off Lee and bringing on Nelson Weiper through the middle. The Mainz local was involved straight away in the first promising chance of the half, cutting into the Strasbourg box from the left-hand side. However, his pass to Hollerbach was cut out at the last moment (49’). The promising start to the second half showed a Mainz side more incisive going forward and getting ever closer to the French side’s goal, as Amiri  fired a free kick just over the bar (53’). Despite a bright start to the half, the game soon quietened down, with most of the action taking place in the middle of the pitch.

It took until the 70th minute before the 11,500 fans in the MEWA ARENA had something to shout about again, as Da Costa picked the ball up and fed Hollerbach, who was again denied by the feet of Penders. Now the visitors began to look lively for the first time in the second half, even though the attempt from Samuel Amo-Ameyaw in the 72nd minute proved no problem for Zentner, nor did the shot that was fired over by substitute Dilane Bakwa (74’). Goalkeeper Lasse Rieß and academy defender Kacper Potulski were brought on for the last 15 minutes, a period which saw no real noteworthy moments, as the match ended goalless.

Mainz 05: Zentner (77’ Rieß) - Da Costa, Leitsch, Kohr (77’ Potulski) - Mwene, Sano, Amiri, Caci - Lee (46’ Weiper), Nebel, Hollerbach

RC Strasbourg: Penders - Samuels-Smith, Sylla, Panichelli, Emegha (61’ Bakwa), Mwanga, Sarr , Amo-Ameyaw (80’ Mara), El Mourabet (90’ Marechal), Barco (61’ Cisse), Lemarechal

Goals: -