“Mainz dropped very deep and closed down the space in the first half,” analysed Julian Brandt after the final whistle. “Leon and I swapped positions in the second half to add new impetus. It paid off quickly. Sometimes you just need a goal from distance, and that opens up the space.”
Bayer 04 head coach Heiko Herrlich fielded the same eleven that beat TSG Hoffenheim 4-1 in Sinsheim last week, maintaining the 4-2-3-1 formation. There was one new face in Mainz starting line-up: ex-Leverkusen man Giulio Donati replaced Gerrit Holtmann, who was sidelined with a knock.
The Werkself went straight onto the front foot, covering the full width of the pitch and applying pressure on the wings again and again. Bayer 04 whipped a number of crosses and corners into the away side's box but lacked precision. Mainz defended deep and had their first sniff of a chance on the break after eight minutes, but Bernd Leno comfortably saved from Muto.
It was very dangerous at the other end when Volland found Bailey in the box. The Jamaican got past de Jong, who touched the ball with his hand as he fell - accidentally, decided referee Willenborg, waving play on. A Bailey cross found Lars Bender, but a Mainz player just managed to get a foot in and clear for a corner (16'). The hosts soon had another chance when de Jong felled Lucas Alario, Bailey's free-kick from 25 yards going just over the bar (19').
The Werkself dominated proceedings, but gilt-edged chances proved few and far between as FSV were increasingly organised in defence and closed down the space. The visitors somehow blocked all the home side’s efforts, and although Bayer 04 enjoyed 75 percent of the ball they rarely posed a threat.
Julian Baumgartlinger had to be subbed off with injury before the half-hour. The former Mainz player fell after an aerial duel, Dominik Kohr taking over (28'). Alario had the best chance with the half-time whistle imminent, but saw his diving header following a Wendell cross drift just wide of the left-hand post (45+1').
Brandt and Bailey swapped positions in the second half. The Jamaican took over the right wing and soon shone. When Alario set him up Bailey fired from more than 20 yards into the left corner of the net, leaving Zentner with no chance (48'). What a belter to start off the second half! Bailey scored his eighth goal this term, also setting a new club record for the Werkself as Bayer 04 have now scored in 25 consecutive matches.
The hosts almost doubled the lead five minutes later, when Julian Brandt cut inside from the left but fired just wide of the right post (53'). Bayer 04 were not only in control now but were more resolute than in the first half.
Herrlich now sent on Benny Henrichs for Lars Bender. The Bayer captain sustained a knock to his knee in the first half. The youngster soon laid down a marker, whipping in a dangerous cross from the right, but Gbamin beat the lurking Volland to the ball and scrambled clear (65').
Leverkusen soon sealed the victory: Donati felled Alario inside the six-yard box following a corner, Wendell netting the ensuing penalty to double the lead (68') and effectively making the game safe. Bailey aimed a little too high from distance (71') before Zentner proved equal to Alario's header (87'). Bayer 04 skilfully ran down the clock, and the 2-0 victory means they reclaim second place in the Bundesliga table.
The Werkself are back in Bundesliga action when they travel to face SC Freiburg on Saturday 3 February. The match at the Schwarzwald Stadion kicks off at 15.30 CET.
Match stats:
Bayer 04: Leno – L. Bender (Henrichs 63'), Tah. S. Bender, Wendell – Aránguiz, Baumgartlinger (Kohr 28') – Brandt (Havertz 81'), Volland, Bailey - Alario
FSV Mainz 05: Zentner – Gbamin, Hack, Diallo – Brosinski (Holtmann 60'), de Jong (Berggreen 60'), Donati – S. Serdar, Latza - Quaison, Muto (Ujah 75')
Goals: 1-0 Bailey (48'), 2-0 Wendell (68' pen.)
Referee: Frank Willenborg (Osnabrück)
Booked: Bailey - de Jong, Donati
Attendance: 25,300
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