RB Leipzig dominated over long distances at the 1st FSV Mainz 05. In the end, the guests had to be happy about a wafer-thin 1-0 (1: 0) victory. Johan Bakayoko (40th) achieved the “golden gate”. The hosts remain in the table cellar with just a plus point, while RB stuck to the top group with the second win in a row.
Leipzig coach Ole Werner saw a deserved victory of his team. “We had the clearer chances. Mainz pressed in the second half, but we sensationally defended it”he said at the sports show microphone: “This is important for us as a team to know that a goal can be enough to win game.”
Marius Rinkel, Sportschau, 13.09.2025 6:30 p.m.
They were not good signs with which the Mainz went into this trend -setting match. Paul Nebel, who still had to suspend after his red card on matchday 1, was missing, like the injured Benedikt Hollerbach and Jae-Sung Lee. Narrow line -up on the Mainz offensive, who still wanted to get the first home trial of the season after this had not worked at the start against 1. FC Köln (0: 1).
RB dominant from the start
RB, however, needed the counters after the equally mixed season opener – and clear: the Leipziger have the more talented players in their ranks. The Mainzers felt that from the start: Leipzig took over the game director.
After nine minutes it should have been ringing in the Mainz goal: Xaver Schlager had prevailed in midfield and Johan Bakayoko sent steeply with a nice interface pass. The attacker was alone in front of keeper Robin Zentner, but pushed the ball on the right outer post.
Leipzig only meets Alu
Three minutes later the second Leipzig aluminum hit: Antonio Nusa had put the ball for Nicolas Seiwald, who hit the right post from 17 meters. A little later the 05s had to let their captain go: Stefan Bell, who had already seen yellow, hit Schlager yellow -worthy, but was allowed to stay on the pitch. Until coach Bo Henriksen redeemed him and replaced him – in the 14th minute!
It was extremely annoying that it was still goalless after 30 minutes played – from a Leipzig perspective. So many chances were had: Nusa’s wonderful Schlenzer in the 29th minute of half left stroked by centimeters past the box of the 05er.
Bakayoko rewards Leipzig dominance
Mainz felt: Today, luck could be on our side. And freed a little out of the playful clasp. Nadiem Amiri refueled with a fine individual performance, but failed with his 14-meter shot on Willi Orban’s defense leg.
And then he fell, the long -earned Leipzig lead goal. Bakayoko dribbled from right to the center and pulled it away from 18 meters with left – in the short corner the ball struck to 0: 1 (40th).
Zouite second section
Amazing: after the change of sides, the so far so lively game flattened. The guests took pace from their actions and first gave the hosts the game director. However, the Mainz struggled to design the game – it became tough against the now deep opponent.
RB had concentrated on the defensive for 20 minutes, then the guests also took up their offensive game. And almost they had been rewarded with the 2-0: Christoph Baumgartner went out to the opposing goal with Nusa together, decided to end, but thundered the ball by centimeters past the left corner.
Mainz in Augsburg, Leipzig against Cologne
But that was also in a game that, according to the first half, fell very much in the second section. The Leipzigers shouldn’t care. With six points you have now taken in the top group of the league with six points.
Mainz will be a guest next Saturday afternoon in Augsburg (3:30 p.m.). Leipzig welcomes 1. FC Köln (6.30 p.m.) on Saturday evening.