Four-middable Mainz ease past Borussia Monchengladbach in big win
Both sides find themselves with an outside chance of challenging for the European places this season, and they went into this game level on points.
And the similarities do not end there, as they were both on a high following impressive 3-2 victories last weekend, as Mainz saw off Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and Gladbach shocked record champions Bayern Munich.
Having scored three goals in two successive Bundesliga matches for the first time since 2016, Mainz were brimming with confidence and they began the game pressing with high intensity.
In fact, Die Nullfunfer got their reward for their positive play with just their first opportunity of the game.
Danny Da Costa nicked the ball away from Nico Elvedi on the right-hand side and whipped in an inviting cross, which was guided expertly in off the head of the in-form Lee – a fifth goal in his last six Bundesliga appearances.
Gladbach sought inspiration from the likes of Jonas Hofmann and Lars Stindl, but the final ball was lacking, and they went into the break behind and firmly second best.
The visitors had been suffocated by the Mainz press in the first half, and Bo Svensson’s side flew out of the blocks in a similar fashion when the game restarted.
After just three minutes, Ludovic Ajorque’s shot was saved well by substitute goalkeeper Tobias Sippel, but Marcus Ingvartsen pounced on the rebound and found the net to double the Mainz lead.
The introduction of Marcus Thuram promised to change things for the Foals, and the Frenchman had a one-on-one saved by Robin Zentner, but ultimately they were to be pegged back once again.
Lee played the perfect pass to Ajorque, who finished superbly across goal and into the bottom corner from a tight angle, netting for the first time since arriving from Strasbourg in January.
Things went from bad to worse for Glabach on the stroke of the final whistle, as 17-year-old substitute Nelson Weiper got his head on an Aaron Martín cross to make it four.
Mainz ascend above tonight’s opponents and into seventh in the Bundesliga ahead of the weekend’s action, and the Mewa Arena faithful will be hoping their good form can continue long enough for them to mount a late top-six challenge.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lee Jae-Sung (Mainz)
