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Germany: Bundesliga
FT
1 - 0
(1 - 0)
Mainz 05
RB Leipzig
M. Niakhate (13)

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.
Mainz coach Bo Svensson.Photo: GEPA Pictures/Wolfgang Jannach
Mainz 05 sensationally beat RB Leipzig at Opel Arena despite being without a number of players for COVID-19 reasons.


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.


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