Magnificent Mainz add to Borussia Dortmund's away blues with comfortable win
Mainz capitalised on Emre Can's early dismissal to claim their first home win of the season with a dominant showing that extended Borussia Dortmund's poor away run, which now stands at four losses in a row on their travels.
Mainz 3-1 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 1-0 Lee 36' (assist: Caci), 1-1 Guirassy 40' (pen.), 2-1 Burkardt 45+3' (assist: da Costa), 3-1 Nebel 54' (assist: Mwene)
Red card: Can 27'
The MEWA Arena was buzzing with anticipation as Mainz welcomed Dortmund for a crucial Bundesliga clash. Both teams entered the match with difficult home and away fortunes; Mainz were seeking their first home win of the season, while Dortmund were desperate to improve their poor away form. Nuri Şahin, Dortmund's head coach, emphasised the importance of securing points on the road, stating, "We have to win our games away from home, otherwise we won't achieve what we want to".
Watch: Brandt: "We need to do our homework"
Can sees red as Mainz take control
The match began with both sides probing for weaknesses, but the game's complexion changed dramatically in the 27th minute. Can, Dortmund's captain, received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Jae-sung Lee. This pivotal moment shifted the balance firmly in Mainz's favour. The hosts capitalised on their numerical advantage, with Lee himself breaking the deadlock in the 36th minute, heading home from close range after a well-worked move.
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Penalty drama and late first-half twist
Dortmund, despite being a man down, showed resilience and were handed a lifeline when Lee went from hero to villain, conceding a penalty. Serhou Guirassy stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick in the 40th minute, levelling the scores. However, Mainz weren't to be denied. In the dying moments of the first half, Jonathan Burkardt restored the home side's lead with a clinical finish, sending the MEWA Arena into raptures.
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Nebel seals the deal as Mainz dominate
The second half saw Mainz continue to dominate proceedings, exploiting their man advantage to full effect. Their superiority was rewarded in the 54th minute when Paul Nebel netted his first Bundesliga goal, effectively putting the game beyond Dortmund's reach. Mainz's dominance was reflected in the stats, with the home side recording 13 shots to Dortmund's 3 and winning 8 corners while conceding none. Dortmund made multiple substitutions in an attempt to change the tide, bringing on Yannik Lührs, Donyell Malen, and Yan Couto, but to no avail. As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 3-1, confirming Mainz's first home victory of the season and extending Dortmund's away day blues to a fourth consecutive defeat.
Player of the Match: Jae-sung Lee
Lee's performance epitomised Mainz's dominant display. The South Korean midfielder was at the heart of everything positive for the home side, opening the scoring with a well-placed header and consistently troubling the Dortmund defence. Lee's four shots on target were the most by any player on the pitch, showcasing his attacking threat. Despite conceding the penalty, his overall contribution, including his pressing and link-up play, was instrumental in Mainz's victory. The xGoals statistic of 2.52 for Mainz compared to Dortmund's 0.85 further underlines the hosts' superiority and Lee's impact on the game.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Mainz 2.52 - Dortmund 0.85
Fastest player: Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), 32.86 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Jae-sung Lee (Mainz), 65 percent
Pass efficiency: Anthony Caci (Mainz), +5.24
Fantasy Heroes: Anthony Caci (Mainz, 361 Points), Paul Nebel (Mainz, 266 Points), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz, 247 Points)
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