VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart - M05 Mainz 1. FSV Mainz 05

The Stuttgart man is the latest player to go into the book for a late challenge on Mainz's captain, Widmer. The Swiss has stayed down following that challenge.

Stuttgart's No.23 had stayed down holding his calves and has since been replaced by Chabot. However, he didn't limp off when being substituted. Incidentally, today marked Zagadou's first Bundesliga start for the Swabians since January 2024.

Hoeneß opts for a double offensive swap as he introduces El Khannouss and Tomás, substituting Leweling and Führich off as a result.

The Fritz Walter medal winner sees yellow for kicking the ball away after a stoppage.

Stiller manages to break into the Mainz box. He lays the ball off to Undav, who subsequently tees up Leweling, but the winger's shot deflects off Kohr and goes behind for a corner.

Sebastian Hoeneß blinks first and goes to the bench for a double alteration. Stiller and Assignon come on for Nartey and Stenzel with half an hour to play.

The resultant free-kick is whipped in by Nartey, who finds Führich. The winger's header is blocked at the edge of the box and there are cries for handball, but the referee dismisses the protests. Mainz clear the danger.

The hosts look to start on the front foot. Leweling bursts into the box before finding Stenzel at the far post. The No.15 fakes a powerful early shot before trying to catch Zentner out with a chipped ball towards the far post. However, the Mainz custodian backpeddles to tip it over the bar for another corner, upon which Stuttgart don't manage to capitalise.

The Stuttgart midfielder sees yellow for impeding Widmer down the left flank for Mainz. Amiri takes the resultant free-kick, but no Mainz head can on the end of his cross.

Zagadou isn't closed down about 35 yards from the Mainz goal and opts to go it alone. The centre-back's effort is well-struck and takes a deflection on its way through to Zentner, who spills the initial attempt before smothering the ball.

Again, Führich pounces on a loose ball before pulling the trigger. This time, his effort is from the edge of the box and blocked behind for another corner. Nartey whips it in, finding Zagadou in the middle. The defender's glancing header looks as though it might sneak in at the far corner, but it whistles past the post.

The No.15 creeps in at the far post inside Mainz's box for Stuttgart. Following a cross, the ball drops kindly for him, but Stenzel's wild hit flies off target. Führich manages to recover the second ball, and his subsequent effort is blocked behind for a corner, which Stuttgart fail to capitalise upon again.

Undav wins the ball back high up the pitch for Stuttgart. He slips Lewewling through down the left channel, who digs out a floated cross from the byline towards the far post where Nartey is arriving. However, the youngster can't quite get there in time. Undav is furious - the Stuttgart captain had been screaming for a cut-back to the edge of the box.

Stenzel pounces on a loose ball and immediately tries to find the run of Leweling with a chipped ball. However, he just overcooks it and the chance goes begging.

Stuttgart's captain today tries to slip Führich through down the left with a nutmeg on Bell, but the veteran Mainz defender follows through on the forward. Nartey takes the set-piece short to Stenzel, who hits a speculative effort over 30 yards from goal, which Zentner gathers comfortably.

A cross from the right courtesy of Stenzel is headed behind by da Costa to concede the first corner of the game. It's fired in from the right, but a Mainz head is first to the ball to clear.