Marco Reus on target but Dortmund held by Mainz
Danny Latza scored a dramatic late equaliser as 1. FSV Mainz 05 held Borussia Dortmund to a 1-1 draw in Matchday 18's curtain-closer at the OPEL ARENA.
1. FSV Mainz 05 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Goals: 0-1 Reus (3'), 1-1 Latza (84')
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Although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was back in the Dortmund starting line-up after his efforts for Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations, it was his partner-in-crime going forward, Marco Reus, who put BVB ahead after three minutes. Picking up the ball in on the left after excellent work from Andre Schürrle, Reus calmly lifted his finish over Jonas Lössl. Yoshinori Muto had the ball in the net 11 minutes later, but was adjudged offside, and thereafter Mainz struggled to create any noteworthy chances. Thomas Tuchel's side threatened at the other end through Raphael Guerreiro and Schürrle, but both spurned opportunities to increase the lead before the interval.
Mainz came out strongly after the restart, although failed to test the returning Roman Bürki in the BVB goal. Niko Bungert's header wide from a corner was the closest the hosts came to an equaliser, while Dortmund always looked a threat on the break. Schürrle's shot deflected wide following one swift attack, while Lukasz Piszczek's header from the resultant corner went narrowly over. Martin Schmidt's side refused to buckle, though, and got their reward six minutes from time when Latza stole a point in dramatic fashion.
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Man of the match
Reus sparkled again at the OPEL ARENA, as he has done so often in the past against Mainz. The 27-year-old's importance to Dortmund was once again underlined with this performance: there are few players in the world who combine his speed, spatial awareness and clinical finishing.
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Match stats
- Dortmund have scored nine goals in the first 15 minutes of games this season, a Bundesliga high.Reus' third-minute opener was BVB's fastest goal this season.BVB's are yet to keep a clean sheet away from home this campaign.
Line-ups
Mainz: Lössl - Donati, Bungert (c), Bell, Brosinski - Latza, Gbamin (Ramalho, 62')- Jairo, Frei (Seydel, 69'), Öztunali – Muto (de Blasis, 74')
Coach: Martin Schmidt
Dortmund: Bürki - Piszczek, Sokratis, Ginter, Schmelzer (c) - Weigl - Reus, Castro (Pulisic, 86'), Guerreiro (Götze, 66'), Schürrle – Aubameyang (Dembele, 72')
Coach: Thomas Tuchel
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Watch: Schürrle and Marcel Schmelzer give their thoughts on the draw: