Derby parity in Mainz as 10-man Frankfurt strike late
Mainz came into Sunday’s opening game with Frankfurt hoping to avenge their heavy opening defeat to Union Berlin. Meanwhile, Dino Toppmöller has endured a slow start to life with ‘Die Adler’. Thursday’s draw away to Bulgarian opposition, Levski Sofia, left a lot to be desired. Despite being reduced to 10-men and a lot of problems persisting, a late Marmoush strike meant Frankfurt snatched a 1-1 draw.
After the opening quarter of an evenly contested and intense battle, Mainz managed to draw first blood on 25 minutes. Pouncing on a calamitous mix-up between Trapp and his defenders, Jae-Sung Lee nipped in to punish. The ball sat up nicely for the Korean who duly nodded to the net despite the best attempts of Smolčić.
Replacing Ajorque who picked up a niggle warming up, Nelson Weiper caused the ‘Adler’ rearguard fistfuls of trouble. The young striker linked up well with Caci and Kohr as Mainz hunted their second goal. Frankfurt’s attack amassing a sole shot in what was a rather toothless first-half for the visitors.
‘Die Nullfünfer’ took up where they had left off before the break. Barreiro and Kohr threatened to add to their slender lead. The unusually quiet Kolo Muani finally afforded two real chances in quick succession as the hour approached. Just as they were getting to grips with their opponent, Frankfurt found themselves reduced to 10-men. Ansgar Knauff dismissed for a second yellow after an unintentionally dangerous swipe at Barreiro.
Bo Svensson introduced new signing Marco Richter as the game neared its close. Toppmöller’s final role of the dice called upon Lenz, Aaronson, and Ngankam to salvage something. Salvage they would as Lenz fed Ebimbe who ripped past Da Costa. The French youngster cut the ball back for Marmoush who tapped home for 1-1 in injury time. Late ecstasy for the travelling Frankfurt fans who come away with a derby point.