Mainz 1-4 Stuttgart
Goals: 1-0 Quaison (13'), 1-1 Wamangituka (45'), 1-2 Didavi (61'), 1-3 Klimowicz (80'), 1-4 Kalajdzic (86')
Red cards: Niakhate (77'), Stenzel (90+1')

Both teams had conceded three times in their Matchday 1 defeats, and both could have matched that in the opening 45 minutes. Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner denied both Orel Mangala and Wataru Endo inside the first five minutes before — completely against the run of play — Jean-Philippe Mateta nodded a centre across the face of goal for Quaison to open his 2020/21 account with a header. Zentner, who had earlier tried to kickstart his dozing teammates with a tirade, was fortunate to see Wamangituka's powerful run end with his shot curling just over the crossbar; his opposite number, Gregor Kobel, was just as relieved when Jean-Paul Boëtius — having cleverly shimmied into space on the edge of the penalty area — arced his effort within a hair's breadth of the target. Silas' measurements were spot on when he drove Gonzalo Castro's pass first-time past Zentner to level with the last kick before the break.

Stuttgart had had more goal attempts than any other side bar Bayern Munich on Matchday 1, a team-high four of them from substitute Kalajdzic. The Austrian forward made his first Bundesliga start at the OPEL Arena, and justified his coach's choice by latching onto Endo's perfectly weighted pass before clipping a ball into Didavi's path for the veteran to put Stuttgart ahead. With Mateta and Quaison unable to muster a goal threat, Mainz's ambitions were dealt a decisive blow when Moussa Niakhate was sent off for a second bookable offence 13 minutes from time. Pascal Stenzel joined him for an early bath in added time, but by then substitute Klimowicz and Kalajdzic had both found the net to leave Achim Beierlorzer's men still to get off the mark in 2020/21.

M05 Mainz Mainz - VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart

Stuttgart get off the mark in Mainz