Late Stage strike denies Mainz first home win of the season against Werder Bremen
Mainz were within minutes of their first home win of the season after Silvan Widmer’s goal, before a late Werder Bremen leveller from Jens Stage forced the 05ers to settle for a point.
Mainz 1-1 Werder Bremen
Goals: 1-0 Widmer 36’ (assist: Hollerbach), 1-1 Stage 86’ (assist: Pieper)
Contrasting form lines met at the MEWA Arena as struggling Mainz hosted in-form Bremen. The hosts came into the game on the back of four consecutive Bundesliga defeats, their worst run in two years, and without a home win all season. They hadn't kept a clean sheet in 19 straight league matches.
Bremen, meanwhile, arrived with momentum from winning three of their last four games, including seven points from their previous three outings. The visitors also had history on their side, having won their last four encounters against Mainz – their longest current winning streak against any Bundesliga opponent.
Widmer breaks the deadlock
Mainz started the brighter of the two sides, with Nadiem Amiri firing an early blocked effort in the fifth minute before Jae-sung Lee saw his header saved shortly after. Bremen's first meaningful attack came in the 13th minute when Romano Schmid released Marco Grüll, who cut inside but shot straight at Robin Zentner when one-on-one.
The hosts continued to press and were denied by the woodwork in the 24th minute when Phillipp Mwene curled an effort from the left side of the box against the crossbar. Mainz's pressure finally told in the 36th minute when Widmer saw his initial shot saved brilliantly by Mio Backhaus, only for Benedict Hollerbach to cleverly back-heel the rebound into Widmer's path, who made no mistake from close range.
Bremen fight back
Horst Steffen made an impactful half-time change, bringing on Cameron Puertas for Samuel Mbangula. However, Mainz had the first chance of the second period when when Lennard Maloney headed towards goal from a corner, but Amos Pieper was perfectly positioned to clear off the line.
Bremen gradually grew into the game, and the introduction of Justin Njinmah and Keke Topp in the 64th minute nearly paid instant dividends. Puertas sent Njinmah clean through on goal, but the substitute dragged his shot narrowly wide. Mainz seemed content to defend their lead as the match entered its final stages, with the hosts dropping deeper.
Just as it appeared they would hold on for a much-needed victory, Bremen struck. In the 86th minute, Pieper's header from a cross created a chance for Stage, who swiveled and fired a low shot through a crowd of bodies past Zentner to equalise. Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Stage forcing another save from Zentner in stoppage time, but the match ended all square.
Player of the Match: Amos Pieper
Bremen defender Pieper delivered a stellar performance that was crucial in securing a point for the visitors. His goal-line clearance from Maloney's header early in the second half kept Werder in the game at a critical juncture.
His most telling contribution came in the 86th minute when he delivered he cross that led to Stage's equaliser. The centre-back's all-around defensive display was impressive, winning numerous duels and helping Bremen maintain their structure against Mainz's attacks. Pieper finished with the most Fantasy points (255) among Bremen players, underscoring his impact on the match.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Mainz 0.97 - Bremen 0.76
Fastest player: Justin Njinmah (Bremen), 35.79 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Jens Stage (Bremen), 2.94 percent
Most pressed player: Paul Nebel (Mainz), 22 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), 3.19
Fantasy Heroes: Silvan Widmer (Mainz, 306 Points), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz, 262 Points), Amos Pieper (Bremen, 255 Points)
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