Mainz off the mark with 3-1 victory over winless Leverkusen
Mainz came from behind at the Opel Arena to beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 and celebrate their first win of the season, leaving their guests still waiting for theirs.
Goals: 0-1 Kohr (22'), 1-1 Muto (45'), 2-1 Diallo (57'), 3-1 Serdar (71')
A deflected Danny Latza effort provided the first moment of danger before a ruthless counterattack gave Leverkusen the lead. Kohr coolly slotted in his first goal for Die Werkself to open the scoring midway through the first half. Yoshinori Muto brought the hosts level on the stroke of half-time with an acrobatic volley from six yards out, turning in Daniel Brosinski's cross for Mainz's first goal of the season.
Abdou Diallo stole in between the defenders and managed to get the deftest of touches with his head in front of Bernd Leno and open his account for Mainz, earning them their first lead of the season early in the second half. Substitute Suat Serdar then drilled in a low, deflected effort from the edge of the area to secure a two-goal cushion, which was enough to secure Mainz their first points of the season.
Line-ups
Mainz: Adler - Donati, Bell (c), Balogun, Diallo, Brosinski - Frei, Latza (46' Serdar) - Öztunali, De Blasis (84' Onisiwo) – Muto (89' Quaison)
Coach: Sandro Schwarz
Leverkusen: Leno (c)- Henrichs, Tah, Bender, Wendell – Kohr (85' Kießling), Aranguiz - Bellarabi, Mehmedi, Brandt (57' Havertz) – Volland (64' Pohjanpalo)
Coach: Heiko Herrlich
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Match stats
- Kohr's first goal for Leverkusen was also his first goal since 17 February, when he scored for Augsburg against Leverkusen.All four of Leverkusen's goals so far this season have been scored by midfielders.Muto has been involved in four of Mainz's six goals in competitive games this season, scoring two and setting up the other in their first round DFB Cup win.