Highlights

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90'
+ 6

Full time! Leverkusen 2-3 Mainz!

Mainz claim the points to climb above Leverkusen into ninth. Superb entertainment at the BayArena - but how different it might have been had Dahmen not saved Tapsoba's early penalty.
Full-time
90'
+ 5

Substitution

90'
+ 4

Pushing hard

Leverkusen are keeping the pressure on Mainz, despite being a man down. It only takes one chance...
90'
+ 1

Added time

The fourth official's board goes up to indicate five further minutes at the BayArena...
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
87'

Temper, temper

Kohr's booked for bringing down Frimpong. The Leverkusen sub isn't happy at all with the challenge. He lets everyone know - but avoids a second yellow.
84'

Last throw of the dice

Forget being a man down - Alonso needs a goal. Is Hlozek the man to haul Bayer back on level terms?
82'

Late goal!

Adli's sent off for pulling down Widmer in the area. Ingvartsen steps up and sends Hradecky the wrong way from the penalty spot! Let's see if the 05ers can defend their lead...
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
77 %
79'

Safe hands

Dahmen swallows up a left-wing cross from Demirbay. He's impressed during his run of seven straight appearances in the absence of Zentner. Will he keep his place for next week's home game with Gladbach, now the Mainz No.1 is fit again?
79'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationPenalty
ReviewPrevious Foul?
DecisionPenalty
77'

Momentum with Leverkusen

Can they find a winner?
Possession (%)
6337
74'

Wing men

Changes in the wing-back positions for Mainz. That has two functions: to keep tabs on Frimpong and Hincapie, who've caused the visitors real problems since coming on, and give Mainz a welcome attacking outlet on both flanks.
70'

Tale of the tape

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
2
2.78
1.12
2
Goals
70'

Goal attempts
10off target
7on target
4off target
5on target
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Long time coming

That was Schick's first goal since early September, when he scored in back-to-back games against Freiburg and Hertha.
65'

Fresh legs

Kohr provides an extra man in midfield, while Ingvartsen offers a like-for-like alternative to striker Ajorque.
60'

What a save!

Onisiwo meets Stach's corner with a downward header, and there's Hradecky with a Gordon Banks-esque save to claw it up and over the crossbar. Stunning goalkeeping!
59'

Instant impact!

The substitutes are all involved as Frimpong connects with Hincapie's back-post cross, forcing Dahmen to parry. Azmoun smashes the upright, with the loose ball deflecting off Wirtz for Schick, who wellies it into the back of the net.
58'
Patrik Schick
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
17 %
56'

Attacking change

Wirtz is on for Sinkgraven, and here's Schick. He's been restricted to two goals in 11 appearances in what's been an injury-hit season, but returned as a sub in midweek. The Czech striker struck 24 times in the Bundesliga last term...
49'

Purposeful start

Leverkusen have come flying out of the blocks. Twice already Mainz have needed some desperate defending to keep the home side in check in the final third.
46'

Double change

No surprise to see Frimpong and Hincapie on for Leverkusen. They should bring defensive stability and a bit more zip in attack. How long before Alonso calls on Florian Wirtz?
Kick-off!
45'
+ 9

Half time: Leverkusen 1-2 Mainz

Three goals, a missed penalty and an overturned spot-kick decision - who wants more of the same?
Half-time
45'
+ 8

Not given!

Amiri was indeed fouled by Bell in the build-up. Reprieve for Leverkusen, who have a free-kick in a dangerous position, on the corner of the Mainz box...
45'
+ 5

Penalty... or not?

The referee points to the spot as Andrich trips Onisiwo in the Leverkusen box. The Bayer players call for a foul in the build-up, though, prompting a VAR review...
45'
+ 5
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationPenalty
ReviewPrevious Foul?
DecisionNo penalty
45'
+ 5

Barreir-goal!

Mainz retake the lead on the stroke of half time. Lee cushions a long ball into the box into the path of Barreiro, who steals in on the penalty spot to volley past Hradecky.
45'
+ 4
Leandro Barreiro
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
43 %
45'
+ 1

Close!

A ball into the box takes a nick off Kossounou and goes just wide. Nothing comes of the ensuing corner, though.
camera-photo

Amiri, Amiri!

Amiri's revival under Alonso continues apace. That's three goals and one assist in the Bundesliga for the former Germany youth international, since the Spain legend took charge.
40'

Pinball!

A corner from the Mainz left causes panic in the Leverkusen box. A few half clearances keep the chance alive, before the whistle sounds for a foul against Amiri.
37'

Win probability

information
Win probability
From around 20 percent at the time of Mainz's opener to where they began the contest after levelling, the home side are still seen as the favourites.
26'
20.4 %
Now
40.5 %
33'

Parity!

Leverkusen are not behind for long. A slip from Edimilson Fernandes presents Azmoun and Co. with the overload. The Iranian charges forward and squares for the unmarked Amiri, who makes no mistake from inside the area. Game on!
32'

Nadiem Amiri

GOAL!

1:1
Nadiem Amiri
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
29 %
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
29'

Mainz goal very much against the run of play

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
1.03
0.12
0
Goals
26'

Mainz lead!

It gets worse for Leverkusen. Kossounou swipes at a right-wing cross, and there's Caci with an unerring finish through a ruck of bodies to put Mainz ahead!
26'

Anthony Caci

GOAL!

0:1
Anthony Caci
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
9 %
21'

Saved!

Dahmen flashes Tapsoba a cheeky smile, before diving to his right to save his first Bundesliga penalty. That could be a huge moment in the game!
20'
Video Assistant RefereeVideo Assistant Referee
SituationPenalty
ReviewFoul?
DecisionPenalty
20'

Penalty?

Azmoun tries to control a deflected free-kick. He gets caught by Stach's stray boot, and the referee points to the spot - but he will check the incident on the pitch-side monitor...
16'

Chess match...

... but not sign of a checkmate just yet. Mainz will be the happier of the two sides.
11'

Hudson-Odoi!

Hudson-Odoi cuts in off the left, but the Chelsea loanee's shot from outside the area is easy for Dahmen.
8'

Leverkusen on top...

... with Amiri seeing plenty of the ball down the Bayer left.
Possession (%)
6337
8'

Passes
68
31
4'

Positive start

Amiri sets off on a mazy run, but is stopped in his tracks on the edge of the Mainz area. Bayer have started on the front foot...
1'

We're off!

Can Mainz end their six-year winless streak in Leverkusen?
Kick-off!

Teams in the tunnel

Game faces very much on at the BayArena, with Leverkusen in red shirts and black shorts, and Mainz in all white.
0:13
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Watch: Leverkusen warming up

Hradecky made a costly mistake against Monaco in midweek, so will be determined to put in a strong showing between the posts today.

Bogey team?

Mainz have failed to score in seven of their last 10 meetings with Leverkusen, whilst winning just one (D1, L8).

Svensson wary of Leverkusen pace

"Leverkusen are a top-five team that got off to a difficult start to the season," opined Svensson in his pre-match press conference. "Alongside a lot of individual quality, they're full of pace. We saw that when two counters decided a game that really we had dominated [last time out]. You have to stop the likes of Frimpong running at speed into space. It's a tough task, but we're looking forward to it."

More on those teams

Alonso makes five changes to the team beaten 3-2 by Monaco in the Europa League on Thursday. In come Odlion Kossounou, Daley Sinkgraven, Kerem Demirbay, Amine Adli and Sardar Azamoun. Jeremie Frimpong, Piero Hincapie, Exquiel Palacios and Florian Wirtz are on the bench, but Moussa Diaby misses out. Patrik Schick is also in the squad, after making his return in midweek after three months out. Mainz are unchanged from the 3-1 win over Augsburg, though goalkeeper Robin Zentner and captain Silvan Widmer do return to the bench.

Leverkusen starting line-up

Hradecky (c) - Kossounou, Tapsoba, Tah, Sinkgraven - Andrich, Demirbay, Amiri - Hudson-Odoi, Azmoun, Adli

Leverkusen subs

Pentz, Hincapie, Bakker, Frimpong, Mbamba, Palacios, Wirtz, Schick, Hlozek

Mainz starting line-up

Dahmen - Hanche-Olsen, Bell, Fernandes - Da Costa, Barreiro, Stach, Caci - Lee - Onisiwo (c), Ajorque

Mainz subs

Zentner, Martin, Leitsch, Widmer, Hack, Barkok, Kohr, Ingvarsten, Mustapha
2:03
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Watch: Previous meeting: Mainz 0-3 Leverkusen

Jeremie Frimpong scored twice as Leverkusen raced to a 3-0 half-time lead, but had to hold on after the break as they finished the game with nine men.

Aerial power

Mainz have had more headed attempts at goal (57) than any other Bundesliga team this season, while the seven headers they have scored puts them behind just Union Berlin (12) and Werder Bremen (eight).

Home comforts

Die Werkself have only lost one of their last seven Bundesliga home games, while they're unbeaten in their last five meetings with Mainz (four wins, one draw).

Happy Xabi

Leverkusen have won six of their last eight Bundesliga games, putting them level on a league-high 18 points with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund across the same period.
0:30
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Hello and welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live match coverage of the Matchday 21 fixture between Leverkusen and Mainz.