Havertz heads winner against Mainz

The scorer of the winning goal was both exhausted and relieved after the final whistle. "Julian's cross for the goal was pinpoint, we both have great understanding with each other on the pitch. Of course, I'm happy about the goal but it's more important for the team to get three points today. It doesn't really matter who scores. After the three defeats we fought back brilliantly this week and we want to keep that going and move up a gear," said Kai Havertz. 

Heiko Herrlich made three changes to the starting eleven in the Europa League game in Rasgrad. Sven Bender had recovered from his neck problem and he replaced Aleksandar Dragovic in central defence, Leon Bailey came in for Paulinho on the left flank and Lucas Alario started up front in place of Kiese Thelin. The players suffering from knocks, that is Lars Bender, Wendell and Kohr, all reported fit to play for the enormously important dual with a confident Mainz side. The target was clear for the Werkself: It was crucial to follow up the win on the European stage with three points in the league. "The strains of travelling can't be used as an excuse. We need the same passion, commitment and courage as we showed against Rasgrad," said Herrlich just before the kick-off.

up to speed straightaway

In pouring rain, the match developed into an intense encounter with Bayer 04 attacking moves quickly broken up by the opposition. The Werkself did have a very early opportunity to score from a Havertz cross but the header from Brandt was blocked by Moussa Niakhaté two minutes into the game – that could have been the opener. Shortly after that, Havertz fired a right-foot shot over the bar (5') from a move involving Bailey, Brandt and Alario. and a long-range effort from Bailey also missed the target (12'). Brandt went much closer with a fine curler towards the far post on 14 minutes. Bayer 04 were up to speed from the start of the game.

Alario, who was playing well and winning lots of possession, had the next chance to open the scoring with a smart header from a Jonathan Tah cross that went inches wide of the post on 19 minutes. The dominant hosts varied their approach and played with great tempo down the wings leaving Mainz struggling to keep the Werkself away from their goal.Goalkeeper Florian Müller turned away a Bailey free kick to the near post for a corner (25'). On the half-hour mark, Aaron managed to block a Bailey shot with his foot after an excellent pass from Brandt. The Werkself were also determined in defence as was demonstrated when Dominik Kohr ran back from the halfway line to tackle Levin Öztunali on the edge of the box on 41 minutes.

one-way traffic before the break

Müller saved a Tah header on 34 minutes. And the Mainz keeper then pulled off a brilliant save to keep out a volley from Kohr four minutes later. Alario then went close with a shot from a Mitchell Weiser cross. In a one-sided encounter, Bayer 04 could and should have been ahead so the 0-0 scoreline at the break was flattering for the visitors. The Werkself had 15 shots on goal in the first half. Mainz had one chance just before half-time when Lukas Hradecky saved a Jonathan Burkardt shot with his foot (45').

The second 45 minutes started with a real fright for the Werkself. Tah lost the ball in the box to substitute Robin Quaison who appeared to have scored the opening goal with a header (47'). However, referee Marco Fritz studied the VAR evidence and reversed his original decision  – justifiably as the striker had clearly handled the ball to take it past Tah. That moment clearly demonstrated Mainz were more determined to get on the front foot in the second half. The Werkself were then finally more effective with their finishing: Weiser and Lars Bender combined to regain possession and a precise cross from Brandt was headed into the back of the net by Havertz from six yards out to give the Werkself the lead on 62 minutes. First two goals in Rasgrad and now this strike – everything is going right at the moment for the new Germany international.

Tah solid as a rock

Hradecky had no problem in parrying a Jean-Phillipe Mateta effort on goal (72'). Kevin Volland then came on for the exhausted Lars Bender and Paulinho replaced Brandt (73'/74'). The Brazilian put a shot just wide of the post from a Bailey cross but he was just offside (82'). Heiko Herrlich then made his third substitution bringing on Kiese Thelin for Bailey (83'). Bayer 04 put up a determined fight to retain the upper hand and secure the three points. Above all, Jonathan Tah proved to be a rock in the Bayer 04 defence in dealing with crosses and long balls from Mainz. When Ridle Baku missed in added time (90+2') that was the last chance for a leveller. Bayer 04 won 1-0 to pick up the first three points in their fourth game.

The busy run of fixtures for the Werkself continues with an attractive match on Wednesday 26 September. Bayer 04 are away to newly promoted Fortuna Düsseldorf and that is followed on Saturday 29 September with a home game at the BayArena against Borussia Dortmund. Both matches kick off at 18.30 CET.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Hradecky – Weiser, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell – Kohr, L. Bender (Volland 72')– Brandt (Paulinho 74'), Havertz, Bailey (Kiese Thelin 83') – Alario

FSV Mainz 05: Müller – Brosinski, Bell, Niakhaté, Aaron – Kunde (Ujah 76') – Baku, Gbamin – Öztunali (Maxim 82'), Burkardt (Quaison 46') – Mateta

Goals: 1-0 Havertz (62')

Referee: Marco Fritz (Korb)

Booked: S. Bender, Kohr – Öztunali

Attendance: 27,473