Luka Jovic brace not enough for Eintracht Frankfurt in draw at Mainz
Luka Jovic struck a brace as Eintracht Frankfurt twice came from behind to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw away to local rivals Mainz on Wednesday.
Goals: 1-0 Quaison (10'), 1-1 Jovic (31'), 2-1 Quaison (36'), 2-2 Jovic (45')
The hosts began at a furious pace and pinned their visitors back inside their own half initially. Jean-Philippe Mateta wasted a glorious chance to take the lead early on but hesitated too long before shooting. Robin Quaison showed him how it was done moments later, accelerating past Carlos Salcedo to lash a left-footed drive into the net. Jovic had a goal disallowed for offside before eventually levelling the score, clinically finishing off a textbook counter-attack from Filip Kostic's cross.
The hosts restored the lead shortly afterwards, however, Quaison sliding in at the back post to tap in Jean-Paul Boetius' cross. Yet Jovic was far from finished and equalised again on the stroke of half-time when he headed in Jonathan de Guzman's corner. The second half was equally frenetic and there were numerous chances at either end - the best of which arguably fell to Ante Rebic in the last minute - but Robin Zentner made a superb save to ensure the points were shared.
Match stats
- Quaison's opener was his first Bundesliga goal with his left foot - his previous six had all been scored with his right.
- Jovic struck his third brace in the Bundesliga this season. He is now joint-top scorer with Borussia Dortmund's Paco Alcacer on 12 goals this term.
- Quaison's double was his second in Germany's top flight. His first arrived on Matchday 23 last season in a 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin.
- Mainz have never lost a league match at home to Frankfurt (6 wins, 9 draws).
- Mainz have scored five own goals against Eintracht in the Bundesliga, which is more than against any other team.
- Frankfurt have beaten Mainz 3-0 twice in 2018 (Bundesliga and DFB Cup), but they’ve never managed three consecutive clean sheets in this fixture.
Line-ups
Mainz: Zentner - Brosinki, Bell (c), Niakhaté, Aaron - Gbamin, Kunde (Baku 77'), Latza - Mateta, Boëtius, Quaison
Unused subs: Huth, Hack,, Maxim, Öztunali, Ujah, Onisiwo
Out: Adler (knee), Mwene (knee), Berggreen (thigh), Müller (ankle)
Coach: Sandro Schwarz
Frankfurt: Trapp - Salcedo, Falette, N'Dicka - Da Costa, De Guzman (Rebic 72'), Fernandes (c), Kostic - Gacinovic (Willems 72') - Haller, Jovic
Unused subs: Rönnow, Stendera, Russ, Müller, Tawatha
Out: Abraham (calf), Allan (knee), Chandler (knee), Hasebe (thigh), Paciencia (knee), Torro (pelvis)
Coach: Adi Hütter
Related news
2 Bundesliga sides into UCL semis, Leverkusen on course for UEL last four
Dortmund and Bayern are into the Champions League semis, while Leverkusen are up against West Ham in the Europa League.
Vote for your Bundesliga Team of the Season!
Pick your best XI from our list of 40 nominees to win exclusive prizes!
Terms and Conditions for the Team of the Season Competition
Terms and Conditions for Participating in the Competition for the Voting for the “Team of the Season 2023/2024”