Leipzig artists work their way to victory in Mainz

RB Leipzig dominated the match against 1. FSV Mainz 05 for long stretches. In the end, however, the visitors had to be content with a narrow 1-0 (1-0) victory in the Bundesliga.

Johan Bakayoko scored the "golden goal" in the 40th minute. The hosts remain at the bottom of the table with just one point, while RB Leipzig moved closer to the top group with their second consecutive win.

Leipzig coach Ole Werner saw his team as having deserved a win. "We had the clearer chances. Mainz pressed in the second half, but we defended sensationally," he said on the Sportschau microphone. "It's important for us as a team to know that one goal can be enough to win the game."

His Mainz colleague Bo Henriksen explained: "The first goal is decisive. After that, we did everything we could, but struggled to create chances in the second half. But we tried everything today."

Mainz weren't looking good going into this pivotal match. Paul Nebel, who had to sit out the game after receiving a red card on Matchday 1, was missing, as were injured Benedikt Hollerbach and Jae-sung Lee. Mainz's attack was thus thin, but they were desperate to secure their first home win of the season after failing to do so in their opening game against 1. FC Köln (0-1).

But RB needed the points after their equally mixed start to the season – and clearly, Leipzig has the more individually talented players in their ranks. Mainz felt this from the start: Leipzig took control of the game.

After nine minutes, the Mainz goal should have already rung: Xaver Schlager broke through in midfield and sent Johan Bakayoko through with a beautiful through ball. The attacker found himself alone in front of goalkeeper Robin Zentner, but pushed the ball onto the right post.

Three minutes later, Leipzig's second goal hit the post: Antonio Nusa laid the ball off to Nicolas Seiwald, who hit the right post from 17 meters. A short while later, the 05ers had to let their captain go: Stefan Bell, who had already been booked, scored a yellow card-worthy goal on Schlager, but was allowed to stay on. Until coach Henriksen relieved him and substituted him – in the 14th minute!

The fact that the score remained goalless after 30 minutes was extremely frustrating from Leipzig's perspective. They had so many chances: Nusa's magnificent shot from the left in the 29th minute also flew centimeters wide of the 05ers' goal.

Mainz sensed that luck might be on their side this afternoon. And they managed to break free a little from the pressure. Nadiem Amiri powered through with a fine individual effort, but his 14-meter shot was blocked by Willi Orban's defender's leg.

And then it finally came: Leipzig's long-deserved opening goal. Bakayoko dribbled from the right into the center and shot with his left from 18 meters - the ball hit the near post to make it 0-1 (40').

Surprisingly, after the break, the game, which had been so dynamic until then, lost momentum. The visitors slowed down their attacks, allowing the hosts to control the game. Mainz, however, struggled to establish control of the game, and things became tough against their now deep-lying opponents.

RB Leipzig had concentrated on defense for 20 minutes, but then the visitors resumed their attacking play. And they were almost rewarded with a 2-0 lead: Christoph Baumgartner and Nusa, with a numerical advantage, advanced on the opposing goal, decided to take a shot, but thundered the ball centimeters wide of the left corner.

But that was it in a game that, after a lively first half, faltered considerably in the second. Leipzig probably won't mind. With six points, they're now in close contact with the league leaders.

Mainz next visits Augsburg on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m.). Leipzig hosts 1. FC Köln on Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.).

• football
• Bundesliga
• 1. FSV Mainz 05
• RB Leipzig