Mainz shock Leipzig despite several absences
By Rune Gjerulff @runegjerulff
Despite having to cope without several important players, Mainz deservedly beat RB Leipzig on Sunday afternoon.
| Mainz coach Bo Svensson. | Photo: GEPA Pictures/Wolfgang Jannach |
The home side started on the front foot and came close to opening the scoring through new signing Jae-Sung Lee, who hit the woodwork after just five minutes.
Eight minutes later, Mainz captain Moussa Niakhaté broke the deadlock, poking home after a poor clearance from Nordi Mukiele following a corner.
In Jesse Marsch's first Bundesliga game as RB Leipzig coach, his troops looked destined to equalise just shy of the half-hour mark, but a last-ditch tackle from Mainz youngster Niklas Tauer stopped Christopher Nkunku's shot.
Paul Nebel, another young Mainz player, came close to making it 2-0 just after the break, but was denied by an excellent save from Peter Gulacsi.
The away side then went on to create a few chances at the other end, but Emil Forsberg and Mohamed Simakan weren't able to beat Robin Zentner.
Mainz actually had the ball in the net a second time before the final whistle, but Alexander Hack's goal was ruled out as it was deemed that the ball went out of play before it reached the centre-back.
Leipzig tried to put on the pressure in the latter stage of the game, but ultimately couldn't find the equaliser they needed and thus ended up falling to a sensational defeat.