FSV Mainz 05 and Werder Bremen appeared to have settled for a clean sheet before four goals in the final stages made the encounter a spectacle.
After the furioso final, disbelief was written all over the faces of the players from FSV Mainz 05 and Werder Bremen. After 84 goalless minutes, Mainz was unable to prevent a damper in the race for a place in the European Cup in the 2-2 (0-0) win against the promoted team, despite two supposedly decisive leads, but their two equalizers also helped the guests in the fight for relegation at best felt victory further.
“It can happen once, but not twice in a game,” scolded FSV sports director Martin Schmidt on the Sky microphone: “It comes from mental lack of concentration, that you feel like a winner and underestimate your opponent.”
After all, the Rheinhessen remained undefeated for the eighth time in a row after the goals of Ludovic Ajorque (85th) and Nelson Weiper (90+3rd) and can continue to hope for their first participation in international business in seven years. Due to the Werder goals almost always in return by Jens Stage (87th) and national player Niclas Füllkrug (90th + 4), Bremen in particular were satisfied despite their fifth game in a row without a win.
“As a striker, I naturally prefer 2-2 to 0-0, but overall the point was very important for our morale and our feelings because we’re not collecting as many points as we would like at the moment,” said Füllkrug after his 16th goal of the season .
Mainz initially struggled against biting Bremen
As different as the two teams had been this year, the first half was evenly matched. Werder kept interrupting early on – and created the best chance in front of 33,305 fans. However, in front of the eyes of national coach Hansi Flick, Füllkrug failed after a corner by direct acceptance by FSV goalkeeper Robin Zentner (21st).
Mainz, who have already scored their points in the first half of the season so far, not only gained a lot of self-confidence in Leipzig, but the FSV game against Bremen seemed much less imaginative. The team of FSV trainer Bo Svenssons developed more train to goal, but the last pass often went in vain. Mainz was initially unable to repeat its recent home appearances.
The hosts cheered right after the break – but too early. Ajorque had provided the first dangerous FSV conclusion, but Anton Stach was offside when he hit the follow-up (51st). Many duels, intense duels, but also numerous playback errors shaped the picture.
In general, the Rheinhessen acted much more energetic. Dominik Kohr (61′) and again Ajorque (61′) came up with more chances with a header, and Edimilson Fernandes (72′) also tested Werder keeper Jiri Pavlenka. Füllkrug (73′) provided one of the rare dangerous Werder moments before the turbulent final minutes.
FSV Mainz 05 – Werder Bremen: The voices of the game
Bo Svensson (FSV Mainz 05 coach): “The first half was tough. We put more pressure on in the second half. We inexplicably defended poorly in two situations. It doesn’t feel like a defeat. But we have to be critical about it. The way we defend is not good enough.”
Ole Werner (Werder Bremen coach): “For 85 minutes it looked like it would be goalless. The 0-1 created a dynamic. We showed a good face. We came back twice, the one point helps us too. It outweighs the positive because of the way the game went .”
FSV Mainz 05 – Werder Bremen: The data of the game
