Dortmund held by Mainz as dismal run of form continues

Julian Brandt’s goal was cancelled out by Sepp Van den Berg’s header as it finished 1-1 between Dortmund and Mainz.

Dortmund made a lively start to the rain-soaked action as Jamie Bynoe-Gittens thrashed an early 7th-minute effort off the crossbar. Continuing to deputise for Robin Zentner, Batz was a busy man in the Mainz goal as he repelled the efforts of Sabitzer and Malen.

Although Brajan Gruda forced Kobel into one pretty routine save, BVB’s dominance continued right up until the breakthrough came before the half-hour mark. On the club’s 114th anniversary, Julian Brandt curled a superb freekick into the top left corner. Amazingly Mainz did claw it back to 1-1 on the stroke of the interval. Sepp Van den Berg rose highest to head beyond Kobel who was millimetres from making the save.

Mainz came out of the blocks in a dangerous manner and effectively caught Dortmund by surprise. With the hosts looking rather flat, Terzic called upon Bamba and Haller after the hour point. Marco Richter’s freekick posed enough threat for Kobel to be required once more.

Dortmund looked just about out of ideas as the game entered the closing stages. Wildly speculative strikes taken from range by Can and Meunier perhaps examples of a team devoid of ideas. Reyna did nod the ball beyond Batz in the 90th minute but the American was clearly off side at a second glance. The doubt surrounding Edin Terzić’s future further cast into the spotlight.

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