Six goals, a penalty and a red card – Borussia beat Mainz 4-2

Dennis-Julian Gottschlich reporting

An entertaining opening 30 minutes saw both teams showing attacking intent from the start in front of a capacity crowd of 80,645 at Signal Iduna Park. Jojic’s opener after six minutes was quickly wiped out by Okazaki (14 mins), but Lewandowski restored the lead only four minutes later (18 mins). Okazaki got his second goal to level the match shortly after the interval, but Piszczek headed BVB back in front again on 56 minutes before Reus sealed the win from the penalty spot in the79th minute.

The Scenario:

It was second versus seventh with the two clubs separated by 14 points. Most of the games between them over the last few years had been close affairs, with six of the previous 15 matches finishing in a draw. However, BVB had been on a seven-game unbeaten run against Mainz, winning five on the trot. They went into the game needing three points to secure Champions League football next season, meaning for Mainz a seventh-place finish would be good enough for a Europa League spot.

Personnel Matters:

BVB had to do without Weidenfeller and Kehl (both groin problems) in addition to long-term injury victims Subotic, Schmelzer, Bender, Gündogan and Blaszczykowski, with Langerak, Kirch and Sahin all coming into the starting line-up.Mainz were without Park, Baumgartlinger, Müller, Zimling and Schahin

Tactics:

Borussia set up in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Reus being deployed in a central midfield role and tasked to support lone striker Lewandowski, while Mkhitaryan and Jojic operated on the wings. Mainz opted for a flexible 4-1-4-1 with Okazaki, Malli or Diaz alternating as the furthest player forward.

The Game & Analysis:

In perfect weather, BVB took charge of the contest from the start and could have gone in front after just three minutes when a Reus free-kick first hit the post and then the leg of the surprised Mainz goalkeeper Karius but unfortunately not the net.

But the ball found its way over the line three minutes later when Jojic rifled in a 20-yard effort from a corner that took a deflection from a BVB player on its way into the net (6 mins). It was only Jojic’s fifth shot on goal after joining BVB in the winter break, but already his third goal!

The Black n Yellows could have doubled their lead twice in the next six minutes when Mkhitaryan came close with an 18-yard shot that was tipped around the post by Karius who was also on hand to deny Jojic in a one on one situation.

Borussia dominated the game but were then hit on the break from Mainz’s first meaningful attack of the game, with Okazaki firing home a shot from the edge of the corner that took a deflection off Hummels, leaving Langerak without a chance (14 mins). BVB took just four minutes to restore their lead when a counter attack saw the lightning-quick Mkhitaryan pass the ball into the path of Lewandowski who rounded the Mainz goalkeeper before slotting it into the back of the net for his 18th goal of the season (18 mins).

The visitors then had a chance to level again when Choupo-Moting found himself unmarked at the far post, but his header was not strong enough to trouble Langerak (24 mins), while at the other end Reus went close with a shot that zipped past the left post after good work from Piszczek (36 mins).

Just like the first half, BVB started the second on top, with Reus coming close to finding the net after a fine one two with Lewandowski, but Karius was out quickly to hack the ball clear off his toes (48 mins). The Mainz goalkeeper was also on hand to keep out a Reus free-kick from 30 yards four minutes later.

The visitors continued to be a threat and were on level terms again after 53 minutes when Okazaki capitalised on a poor back pass to score his second goal of the afternoon. But just like in the first half, BVB responded quickly as Reus sent a free-kick  into the Mainz penalty area where Piszczek rose highest to steer a header past Karius to make it 3-2 (56 mins).

Reus could have doubled the lead moments later when he stretched to get his foot on a fine cross from Jojic, but the Germany international was again denied by the outstanding Karius (58 mins). There were another two fine saves from the Mainz keeper, both against Lewandowski who first saw his shot and then his header kept out (61/65 mins). BVB then should have been awarded a penalty after Okazaki cleared a Hummels header off the line with his arm, but their claim for handball was waived away by referee Schmidt (69 mins).

The hosts continued to push forward in search of a fourth goal to make the game safe. After 70 minutes, they had 20 shots on goal to the visitors’ seven, and they kept on creating chances. Lewandowski was denied by the post on 77 minutes, and a minute later he was again sent through on goal, but after rounding Karius his shot from a tight angle was stopped by the arm of Bungert, and this time the referee was left with very little option other than to award BVB a penalty and issue the Mainz defender a red card. Reus stepped up and coolly slotted home to make it 4-2 (79 mins)., BVB had two chances to increase their lead further in closing minutes of the match but second-half substitute Aubameyang was twice denied by Karius (86/88 mins).

Teams & Goals

Bundesliga, Matchday 31
BORUSSIA DORTMUND – 1. FSV MAINZ 05 4-2 (2-1)

Borussia Dortmund: Langerak – Piszczek, Sokratis, Hummels, Durm – Sahin, Kirch – Jojic, Reus, Mkhitaryan – Lewandowski
1. FSV Mainz 05: Karius - Pospech, Bungert, Noveski, Junior Diaz - Geis – Bell, Malli, Moritz, Choupo-Moting – Okazaki
Substitutions: 80. Großkreutz for Mkhitaryan, 81. Hofmann for Jojic, 84. Aubameyang for Reus - 46. Saller and Parker for Bell and Moritz, 75. Koo for Malli
Goals: 1-0 Jojic (6.), 1-1 Okazaki (14., Junior Diaz), 2-1 Lewandowski (18., Mkhitaryan), 2-2 Okazaki (53.), 3-2 Piszczek (56., free-kick Kirch), 4-2 Reus (79., penalty, Lewandowski)
Corners: 12-2 (HT 4-1), Chances: 11-4 (6-2)
Referee: Schmidt (Stuttgart), Red card: 78. Bungert (handball), Yellow cards: Jojic - Okazaki
Attendance: 80,500 (sold-out), Weather: sunny, 13 degrees

Prospects:

After 11 games in 35 days, the Black n Yellows have a seven-day rest before they travel to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (1830 CET).