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B04 Leverkusen Bayer Leverkusen - M05 Mainz Mainz

J. Quansah
88'
67'
S. Becker

BayArena(Sold out)

Tobias Stieler

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58 %Sheraldo Becker

Sheraldo Becker

0:17

Becker: "We need to be happy!"

Full-time: Leverkusen 1-1 Mainz

Levekusen fight back to rescue a draw against lowly Mainz. They stay outside the top four after failing to win for the second straight week, while Mainz - themselves winless in three - have just a one-point cushion on the bottom three.

© Christof Koepsel

Full-time

0:23

Last-ditch defending

Maloney sticks out a leg to stop the waltzing Maza from getting off a shot inside the penalty area. Tapsoba meets the ensuing corner from Grimaldo, but sends his downward header wide.

90'

+ 5

Smothered

Schick makes a nuisance of himself as a high ball is played into the Mainz area. Terrier tries to turn it goalwards from close range, but Batz is out quickly to block.

90'

+ 2

Cautioned

Maloney impedes García in his first real involvement since joining the fray.

90'

+ 2

Yellow card

Lennard Maloney

90'

Time added on

At least another seven minutes to play, with Leverkusen suddenly in the ascendancy...

90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

1.

Jarell Amorin Quansah35.08km/h

2.

Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares34.31km/h

3.

Axel Tape-Kobrissa33.98km/h

89'

Defensive reinforcement

Maloney replaces Lee in a shut-up-shop kind of change that Fischer perhaps would have preferred to make before the equaliser.

89'

Substitution

Lennard Maloney

88'

Late equaliser!

They've done it! Schick helps García's long pass into the path of Kofane. He has has the legs to race clear and the smarts to pick out Quansah, who slides in to push the ball beyond Batz.

88'

Jarell Quansah

GOAL!

1:1

Jarell Quansah

Goal probability

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

23 %

Shot speed

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

74.07 km/h

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

9.77 m

87'

Time ticking away

Grimaldo tries to help on a corner, but the ball goes out for a goal-kick as a pensive Hjulmand patrols the Bayer technical area.

83'

García on

Aleix García will operate as Leverkusen's sole defensive midfielder for the remainder. Can the top-heavy hosts find an equaliser?

82'

Substitution

Exequiel Palacios

81'

Like-for-like change

Former Leverkusen youth player Danny da Costa replaces Mainz captain Silvan Widmer on the right-hand side of the defence.

81'

Substitution

79'

The disruptors

That goal came at the ideal time for Mainz, just when Leverkusen were beginning to build up a head of steam. The 05ers have been keeping Bayer at arm's length ever since...

76'

Expected Goals

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

Clear-cut chances have been pretty scarce at the BayArena. Becker's superb go-ahead goal had an xG of just 18 percent...

xGoals

0

0.29

0.69

1

Goals

73'

Straight at the goalkeeper!

Sano's cross is flicked on to Tietz, who isn't expecting to get the ball and can only direct a tame shot straight at Blaswich from close range.

72'

Next change

A very attacking move as teenaged striker Christian Kofane replaces midfielder Fernández.

72'

Substitution

Christian Kofane

Ezequiel Fernández

70'

Goalscorer hooked

Silas was already set to come on before the goal. Becker gestures towards the Mainz fans as he heads off, urging them to get behind the team.

69'

Substitution

Silas Katompa Mvumpa

Sheraldo Becker

67'

What a goal!

Textbook counter from Mainz to break the deadlock. Batz goes long for Nebel, who measures his cross from the right to perfection. Becker swings his right boot at the ball, connecting with a superb volley to leave Blaswich with no chance.

67'

Sheraldo Becker

GOAL!

0:1

Sheraldo Becker

Goal probability

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

18 %

Shot speed

Shot speed

Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.

90.17 km/h

Distance to Goal

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

15.2 m

66'

Yellow card

66'

Yellow card

65'

Nothing given

Mwene is the furthest player forward as Mainz attack up the right-hand side. He goes to ground under the slightest touch from Tape as the ball is sent into the box, but the referee waves him to his feet.

63'

Big chance!

Massive improvement from Leverkusen, with Maza pulling the strings from midfield. Terrier picks up possession near the byline and pulls a ball back for Schick, whose first-time attempt is blocked by the advancing Batz.

60'

Double change

Hjulmand sends on Terrier and Maza in a bid to spark the Leverkusen attack into life.

59'

Substitution

59'

Substitution

57'

Disaster averted

Batz is closed down after taking too long over a clearance. Luckily for him, the ball cannons away from goal and behind for a corner - Bayer's first of the game - that comes to nothing.

56'

Miscued

Hofmann is all alone in the Mainz area, but Poku - having done the hard work to get into such a promising position in the final third - scoops his cross out of play.

52'

That could have gone anywhere!

Nebel escapes his marker on the right-hand side and fires in a cross that hits a Leverkusen defender in the six-yard box before being cleared to safety.

50'

Win Probability

Win Probability

Leverkusen were the favourites, but Bundesliga Match Facts currently has the draw as the most likely outcome (37 percent chance). No surprise, given the pattern of the game so far...

0'

46.8 %

49'

36.2 %

46'

Second half

Axel Tape replaces injured defender Arthur as Leverkusen get the game back under way at the BayArena.

Kick-off!

45'

+ 8

Substitution

Half-time: Leverkusen 0-0 Mainz

Goalless at the break between Leverkusen and Mainz. It's not been the easiest watch, but that'll suit the away side, who've got their game plan down to a tee.

© IMAGO/Celina Leiers

Half-time

45'

+ 6

Applause for Arthur

The Leverkusen fans signal their support as Arthur is stretchered off down the tunnel. Bayer will end the half with 10 men.

45'

+ 4

Arthur concern

The Leverkusen full-back goes down in agony after catching his studs in the turf. The stretcher is on - this looks like a serious injury.

0:21

What a tackle!

Four minutes at the end of the first half in Leverkusen as Andrich times a challenge on Becker in the box to perfection. That could have gone badly wrong for the Bayer skipper.

44'

Penalty check

Referee Tobias Stieler has just been over to the pitch-side monitor to check for a possible handball in the Mainz area by Potulski. A hand was used to block Quansah's cross, but a Leverkusen player was offside in the build-up. Let-off for Mainz!

42'

SituationNo penalty

ReviewPrevious offside?

DecisionNo penalty

40'

Chance not taken

Exequiel Palacios does really well to prise open the Mainz defence with a quick one-two on the edge of the area. He decides against the shot, instead chipping an inviting cross towards the back post, but Poku doesn't gamble.

39'

Roof of the net

Lee clips a cross into the Bayer area, but Posch can't keep his header down. Blaswich was happy to just watch it over.

37'

On target

Leverkusen with a glimpse of the Mainz goal as Grimaldo hangs up a cross for Schick, who sends a looping header into the gloves of Batz.

36'

Dangerous ball

Mainz find joy again on the right flank, but Tietz's low cross is hooked to safety by Tapsoba.

35'

Expected Goals

xGoals

The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).

Very little by way of goalmouth action so far, that earlier Nebel effort at Blaswich aside.

xGoals

0

0.08

0.27

0

Goals

35'

Goal attempts

1off target

1on target

2off target

2on target

32'

Right idea

Sano tries to feed the run of Becker with a pass from deep, but it goes straight through to Blaswich. Becker certainly has the pace to stretch any defence.

30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.

1.

Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares31.55km/h

2.

Robert Andrich31.26km/h

3.

Ernest Poku31.26km/h

Tough game for Leverkusen

The home side are going to have to be very patient, if Mainz keep this up.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Julian Meusel

21'

Mainz wall

Leverkusen are enjoying their first real spell of sustained pressure in the Mainz half, but the visitors have every player back defending. Fischer's charges look very comfortable sitting deep.

Possession (%)

6238

0:28

Strong save!

Mainz move it quickly on the right-hand side as Tietz feeds Nebel. He strikes it well from a tight angle, but Blaswich is equal to the task at his near post. Tietz's rebound attempt is blocked.

16'

OK for now

Hofmann was moving a little gingerly after getting to his feet, but is now back on the pitch. He'll try to run this off.

14'

Man down

Hofmann looks in some pain after being caught on his left ankle by Nebel. The physios are on...

11'

Hunting in packs

Mainz are doing a great job of closing the spaces, particularly in the central areas. Leverkusen just can't find any sort of passing rhythm.

8'

Target man

Grimaldo creates space on the left before working the ball to Schick in the Mainz area. He controls well enough, but can't get the ball out from under his feet to get a shot off, and the 05ers smuggle it clear.

6'

Opening

Mainz hit Leverkusen on the counter as a quick pass is played up to Becker in the Bayer penalty box. He gets a shot off on his weaker left foot, but is under pressure from a Leverkusen defender and doesn't seriously trouble Blaswich.

4'

Speculative

Jonas Hofmann has a crack from distance, but his shot is too close to the goalkeeper. The 33-year-old made 10 appearances during a loan spell with Mainz in 2014/15.

3'

Positive

Bright start from Mainz as Tietz has an early sight of goal, before Sano drives forward and sees a deflected pass land in the arms of Blaswich.

1'

Under way!

Mainz get the ball rolling at the BayArena...

Kick-off!

Teams in the tunnel

Tremendous atmosphere at the BayArena. Leverkusen are in special white shirts - marking the 50th anniversary of the Bayer 04 Supporters' Club - and black shorts. Mainz line up in purple and pink. Kick-off is moments away...

The standings

Leverkusen can climb to within a point of the top four with a win today. They then have their rescheduled Matchday 17 trip to Hamburg to come on Wednesday. Mainz could rise as high as 12th or fall as low as 16th - the relegation play-off off spot - depending on results up and down the Bundesliga this weekend.

0:32

Watch: Leverkusen out to warm up

Amiri blow

Mainz have confirmed that Amiri is out with a heel problem. The Germany international midfielder will be a huge miss for the 05ers after scoring seven of his team-leading 10 goals so far this season in his last seven appearances.

© IMAGO/Markus Fischer

More on those teams

Hjulmand makes three changes to the midweek game against Olympiacos. Arthur, Ezequiel Fernández and Ernest Poku are cycled in, with Lucas Vázquez injured, and Aleix García and Ibrahima Maza dropping to the bench. Fischer also shuffles his pack following the 1-1 draw with Hamburg, as Silvan Widmer, Paul Nebel and Sheraldo Becker come in for Danny da Costa, Nadiem Amiri and Silas.

© Christof Koepsel

Starting line-up: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

28

4

6

Ezequiel Fernández

7

8

12

13

14

19

20

Alejandro Grimaldo

25

Exequiel Palacios

Leverkusen subs

Omlin, Lomb, Tape, Oermann, Maza, García, Culbreath, Kofane, Terrier

Starting line-up: 1. FSV Mainz 05

33

2

4

6

7

8

20

23

Sheraldo Becker

30

31

48

Kacper Potulski

Mainz subs

Rieß, Leitsch, da Costa, Maloney, Silas, Gleiber, Sieb, Moreno Fell, Bøving

0:07

Watch: All eyes on Lee

0:11

Watch: All set up in the away changing room

2:13

Watch: Rolfes reacts to Leverkusen's Champions League last-16 draw

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes gave his thoughts after the club were drawn against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Friday.

Kasper Hjulmand on facing Mainz

"Mainz are a top side. They've done very well since Urs Fischer's arrival. As a team, we need to improve our performance compared to our last outing. We need to fight and deliver a good performance in order to get the win. If Mainz are sitting deep, we need to find the rhythm in our passing game that we were lacking for the majority of our last match [against Union Berlin]."

© IMAGO/Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Olympiacos FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg

Urs Fischer on facing Bayer Leverkusen

"We need to be compact but also play with courage. It's a tough game and our efficiency will be crucial. We have a good mix in training. We've worked hard to develop this relaxed attitude. It's important not to be too euphoric but also not too tense in order to be successful."

© IMAGO/Benedict Christ

Mixed Leverkusen

The new year has already produced ups and downs for Leverkusen. They have won (three) as many Bundesliga games as they have lost, drawing the other, which has left them four points adrift of the top four, albeit with a game in hand.

© IMAGO/dts Nachrichtenagentur

Amiri: Mainz's star man

Amiri, a former Leverkusen player, is currently in fantastic form. Against Hamburg last time out, he scored his 10th goal of the season in the Bundesliga - his career-best tally - with seven coming in 2026, a haul only Harry Kane has beaten. Five of Mainz's last six goals, and each of their last three, have come from the midfielder's boots, while he has scored 38% of his side's 26 goals in the league this campaign.

© Alex Grimm

Familiar face

Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand will face his former club in Mainz. He has now overseen 21 Bundesliga games at Leverkusen, as many as he managed during his spell with the 05ers - with the Werkself, he has managed three times as many wins (12 to 4).

© IMAGO/Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Olympiacos FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg

Flying under Fischer

Since Urs Fischer was appointed head coach, Mainz's form has turned a corner. They have the seventh-best record in the 10 games he has overseen, picking up as many points (16) as Leverkusen over the same period.

© IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / SJS

Leverkusen through to last 16

Die Werkself delivered a confident defensive performance on Tuesday night to hold Olympiacos to a goalless draw at the BayArena in their second leg UEFA Champions League play-off. The result means Kasper Hjulmand's side progress to the last 16 of the competition, going through 2-0 on aggregate, thanks to Patrik Schick's first-leg brace.

© IMAGO/Revierfoto

2:03

Watch: Mainz 3-4 Leverkusen previous meeting

Alejandro Grimaldo scored twice as Leverkusen shaded a seven-goal spectacle in Mainz earlier this season.

2:03

Watch: Union Berlin 1-0 Leverkusen - highlights

Leverkusen lost a league game for the first time in over a month on Matchday 23. They stay sixth, four points behind the top four, but with a game in hand.

2:03

Watch: Mainz 1-1 Hamburg - highlights

Mainz are two points above the bottom three after drawing with promoted Hamburg on head coach Urs Fischer's 60th birthday.

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 24 fixture between Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz.