Mainz slump to 4-1 defeat against Stuttgart

Despite Marcus Ingvartsen’s early opener, the Zerofivers suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of VfB Stuttgart at the MEWA ARENA on matchday 33. Stuttgart got themselves back on level terms shortly before the break courtesy of Wataru Endo and it was all to play for in the second half. Although Mainz were presented with some decent opportunities of their own, VfB were ultimately too strong for FSV as they romped to a 4-1 victory thanks to second half goals from Serhou Guirassy, Chris Führich, and Tanguy Coulibaly.

Bo Svensson made five changes from the side that faced Frankfurt last time out with Finn Dahmen, Dominik Kohr, Anthony Caci, Leo Barreiro and Aymen Barkok coming in for Robin Zentner, Andreas Hanche-Olsen, Aarón, Jae-Sung Lee and Ludovic Ajorque. There was some good news ahead of kick off as it was announced that Karim Onisiwo had extended his contract with Mainz by a further two years. The Austrian will now be with the Zerofivers until the summer of 2026.

Around the MEWA ARENA ahead of the game

Ingvartsen gives Mainz the lead

After conceding too many early goals in recent weeks, Mainz looked to give nothing away in the opening exchanges against Stuttgart and there was little action inside either penalty area inside the first 15 minutes. FSV's first real chance of the game fell to Karim Onisiwo in the 22nd minute, when he tested Fabian Bredlow with a low shot across the face of goal. The Stuttgart keeper was up to the challenge and he tipped it round the post (22’). The resulting corner was taken by Fernandes, who whipped it towards Karim Onisiwo at the back post. The Austrian headed it back into the six-yard-box to Ingvartsen, who tapped it home to give his side a 1-0 lead (23’). The guests enjoyed much of the ball after the opening goal but Mainz continued to defend resolutely to keep them at bay. Onisiwo was presented with another opportunity shortly before the break but he was denied once again by Bredlow (40’).

FSV continued to press for their second of the afternoon but it was VfB who would get the next goal of the game. Following a Mainz corner, Stuttgart broke quickly through Silas, who found his way onto the right edge of the opposition penalty area. His pass into the box wasn’t dealt with by Fernandes, whose poor clearance fell into the path of Endo on the edge of the penalty area. The Japanese player flicked it up and beat Finn Dahmen with a superb finish to put his side back on level terms (41’). This would prove to be the final action of the half and the scores were level at the break (1-1).

From the game:

Stuttgart push on after the break

An unchanged Mainz made the brighter start to the second half but they failed to take advantage of their opportunities before the hour-mark. Stach’s shot on the edge of the area was blocked (51’) and Fernandes’ dangerous free kick from the left-hand side was dealt with by Bredlow (59’). Stuttgart posed a threat on the counter and they took the lead in the 64th minute when Serhou Guirassy headed home from a Führich corner (64’). Svensson reacted to the goal by bringing on Jae-Sung Lee for Aymen Barkok (65’) but the scrappy contest made it difficult for FSV to get anything going. Ajorque was then brought onto the field for Marcus Ingvartsen and although the Frenchman was involved in some good link up play, the Zerofivers couldn’t find the cutting edge that they needed. Svensson’s side were then dealt a killer blow when Chris Führich got Stuttgart’s third with just over ten minutes remaining (78’).

Mainz tried to find their way back into the game and they came desperately close to reducing the deficit in the 83rd minute but Bredlow produced a fine double-save to deny Anton Stach and Ludovic Ajorque. Nelson Weiper and Aaron were then brought into the contest (86’) but time was running out for the home side. Stuttgart then added insult to injury in added time when Tanguy Coulibaly added a fourth (90+1). The win moved VfB out of the relegation zone and into 15th place, meaning the Swabians’ fate is in their own hands heading into the final day.

Mainz’s fourth defeat in a row leaves them on 45 points after 33 games. Svensson’s side will travel to Dortmund next Saturday for their season finale (27th May, 15:30 CEST).