Maximilian Beier's brace propels Borussia Dortmund to victory over Mainz
Borussia Dortmund bounced back from two defeats on the bounce to put three past the Champions League chasing Mainz, who were lacking cutting edge despite another energetic performance.
Dortmund 3–1 Mainz
Goals: 1-0 Beier 39‘ (assist: Adeyemi), 2-0 Can 42‘ (assist: Schlotterbeck), 3-0 Beier 72‘ (assist: Schlotterbeck), 3-1 Nebel 77‘
Borussia Dortmund hosted Mainz at the Signal Iduna Park, with both teams eager to for three points, albeit for very different reasons. Mainz entered the game ten points ahead of Dortmund, who were looking to bounce back from recent domestic struggles, while Mainz arrived in fine form, unbeaten in their last six league games and aiming for a record fourth consecutive away victory.
Evenly matched start
The opening exchanges were tightly contested, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Nico Schlotterbeck tested Robin Zentner with a long-range effort, while Jae-sung Lee came close for Mainz. The match remained finely balanced until the 39th minute when Maximilian Beier broke the deadlock for the hosts. Julian Brandt's incisive pass found Karim Adeyemi, who unselfishly squared the ball for Beier to tap home from close range.
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Dortmund's double strike
The goal energised Dortmund, and they quickly doubled their advantage just three minutes later. Schlotterbeck, showcasing his so far undiscovered set-piece ability, delivered an inch-perfect corner that Emre Can met with a powerful header, leaving Zentner with no chance. The quick-fire double left Mainz reeling as the teams headed into the break with Dortmund firmly in control.
Mainz fight back
Mainz emerged from the interval with renewed determination, creating several chances in quick succession. Paul Nebel, Jonathan Burkardt, and Moritz Jenz all came close to reducing the deficit. Jenz's header from Nadiem Amiri's corner was particularly threatening, forcing a save from Gregor Kobel. The visitors' pressure continued, but they struggled to find the final touch to convert their opportunities.
Beier seals the deal
Against the run of play, Dortmund extended their lead in the 72nd minute. Once again, it was Schlotterbeck who provided the assist from a corner, this time finding Beier who headed home his second goal of the match. The strike appeared to put the game beyond Mainz's reach, but the visitors refused to give up. Just four minutes later, Nebel capitalised on a defensive error to pull one back for Mainz, briefly reigniting hopes of a comeback.
Player of the Match: Nico Schlotterbeck
While Beier's brace will grab the headlines, Schlotterbeck's performance was instrumental in Dortmund's victory. The defender not only contributed to the team's solid defensive display but also provided two crucial assists from corner kicks. His set-piece delivery for both Can's and Beier's goals demonstrated his technical ability and vision. Schlotterbeck's all-round performance, combining defensive solidity with attacking threat, made him the standout player of the match.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Dortmund 3.06 - Mainz 0.71
Fastest player: Nikolas Veratschnig (M05), 34.89 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 2-0 by Emre Can (BVB), 20 percent
Most pressed player: Karim Adeyemi (BVB), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Karim Adeyemi (BVB), +3.97
Fantasy Heroes: Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund, 417 Points), Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund, 321 Points), Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund, 239 Points)
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