Bundesliga
1-1 - Reus' early goal cancelled out late on in Mainz
Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 (1-0) draw away to 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Matchday 18 of the Bundesliga campaign.
The 34,000 spectators at a sold-out Opel Arena watched on as BVB made a dream start thanks to a Reus goal with just three minutes on the clock. The visitors appeared to be heading for victory – until Latza headed home in the closing stages to restore parity with the home side's first attempt of the second half.
Dennis-Julian Gottschlich reporting
The scenario:
An away win would have seen BVB move up to third place – enough to secure automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League come the end of the season. Mainz, in 11th, would have climbed to eighth with all three points. Borussia Dortmund had won ten of the last 11 clashes between the sides, including five of the last six trips to Mainz. But that didn't stop Thomas Tuchel from telling his players they needed to "unleash their potential".
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Personnel matters:
The BVB boss once again had Aubameyang available following the Gabon international's return from the African Cup of Nations during the week. He replaced Pulisic, while Guerreiro came in for Kagawa and Bürki took Weidenfeller's place between the sticks; otherwise it was the same starting XI that lined up in Bremen a week ago. Bender (torn lateral collateral ligament), Sahin, Rode (fitness) und Isak (FIFA approval to play still pending) were unavailable. The hosts were without Berggreen (fitness), Cordoba (suspension), Onisiwo (bruised foot), Curci (released), Balogun and Serdar (both fitness).
Tactics:
Borussia lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Schürrle (right wing), Castro, Guerreiro and Reus forming the attacking midfield quartet. Schürrle and Reus swapped sides halfway through the first period. Mainz opted for a 4-4-2 system that saw them sit deep in their own half. Forwards Frei and Muto looked to block Borussia's build-up play – which had to go through Sokratis and Ginter with Weigl marked out of the match and barely able to touch the ball in the first half – on the halfway line. Behind them were two compactly formed banks of four.
The match & analysis:
It was a dream start for BVB, who took the lead in the third minute when Castro and Schürrle dispossessed Mainz defender Gbamin in midfield and burst forward at speed. Schürrle powered through the opposition half with the ball before picking out the unmarked Reus, who kept his cool and slotted the ball inside the near post. With only 124 seconds gone, it was BVB's fastest Bundesliga goal this season – and hinted there was more to come.
Borussia's bright start continued as they came close to doubling their lead a mere two minutes later, but Bell blocked the path of Aubameyang's header in the six-yard box. Bell's defensive colleague Bungert then thwarted another gilt-edged chance for the visitors by preventing Castro from passing to the unmarked Aubameyang and Reus in the box (11). At the other end Mainz threatened through Öztunali Frei, who carried the ball slightly too far forward and was denied by Bürki as he came off his line (8).
Latza strikes back
There was very little goalmouth action following those action-packed opening stages. The Black and Yellows controlled the game and repeatedly attempted to make their mark on the game without ever really creating clear-cut chances. For a long time, a Schmelzer effort that was blocked by Bell and a comfortable save for Lössl from a Guerreiro free-kick (23) were the only moments of note. Shortly before the break Sokratis threatened following a corner kick but his effort was unfortunately deflected by Gbamin (44). The Black and Yellows had looked compact in defence and prevented FSV from seriously threatening before the interval.
Even once play had recommenced after the interval, BVB were not stretched to their limits against a Mainz side that initially looked harmless. Bell steered a header wide of Bürki's goal following a corner (56), while Schürrle's attempt from 12 metres was deflected away for a corner kick by Bungert (61). Thomas Tuchel tried to breathe new life into the match by introducing Götze and Dembélé to the fray in place of Guerreiro and Aubameyang after 72 minutes, before Lössl comfortably saved Schmelzer's free-kick (83). It was directly afterwards that Mainz delivered the late blow, first shifting the ball well and then Öztunali crossing to the far post, where Latza headed home the leveller (83). De Blasis came within an inch of winning the match for Mainz in stoppage time (90+3).
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Prospects:
Next Saturday (18:30 CET) sees Rasenballsport Leipzig visit SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in the Bundesliga, before BVB's DFB Cup campaign resumes at home to Hertha BSC four days later (Wednesday 8/2, 20:45 CET).