RB Leipzig again missed important points in the fight for the international starting places. The Champions League participant only drew 1-1 (0-1) at FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday and is thus stuck in mid-table in the Bundesliga.
In front of 26,100 spectators, Marcus Ingvartsen put the hosts ahead in the 45th minute, which Christopher Nkunku (80th) equalized.
Both teams, who are still tied with twelve points each, shied away from the full risk at the beginning. So what happened in the starting phase mainly took place between the penalty areas. The guests caused the first excitement. Nkunku crossed to Amadou Haidara, whose header smacked the post.
That was a wake-up call for Mainz, who now played bolder forwards. However, Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich, who is set to stand in for the seriously injured Peter Gulacsi in the coming months, twice stood in the way of the home side taking the lead. First the 31-year-old deflected a shot from Karim Onisiwo (23rd) around the post, then he fended off an attempt by Jae-sung Lee (25th) with a strong foot save.
Before the game, RB managing director Oliver Mintzlaff confirmed that the Saxons wanted to sign the clubless Norwegian Orjan Nyland because of Gulacsi’s long absence (torn cruciate ligament). The 32-year-old should be number two behind Blaswich. “I can say that we are in final talks,” said Mintzlaff on the pay TV channel Sky.
RB with more ball possession
After the Mainz double chance, things calmed down again. RB had a lot more possession of the ball, but couldn’t do anything with it. The guests found it extremely difficult to build up the game against the running and fighting Rheinhessen and could hardly put themselves in the limelight.
Before the break, the 05ers only got in trouble once more when goalkeeper Robin Zentner saved at the last moment from Emil Forsberg, who was ready to score. The Swede was one of six new players in Leipzig’s starting XI after beating Celtic Glasgow 3-1 in the Champions League last Wednesday.
With the last action before the break, Mainz then struck. Anton Stach skilfully chipped the ball into Ingvartsen’s run, who gave Blaswich no chance with a shot into the far post.
After the change, Silvan Widmer stayed in the Mainz dressing room because of a thigh injury. The captain was replaced by Danny da Costa. Leipzig pressed vehemently for the equalizer, which initially did not want to fall.
A goal by Abdou Diallo (53rd) was not recognized because the ex-Mainzer was offside, then FSV goalkeeper Zentner saved twice with his foot against Nkunku and Timo Werner within 60 seconds. Only ten minutes before the end, Nkunku hit his head and thus saved RB from the impending bankruptcy.
