- Upon Svensson's return to Mainz, no champion was crowned
In their initial Bundesliga encounter, Mainz 05 shared the points with Bo Svensson's new squad, 1. FC Union Berlin. Under the gaze of 31,500 spectators in Mainz, Nadiem Amiri netted a stunning free-kick for the home team in the 53rd minute. Late substitute Laszlo Benes netted one for the visitors, leveling the scoreline in the 74th minute, salvaging a draw for Union.
The duel between Mainz's Bo Henriksen and Svensson, hailing from Denmark, resulted in a stalemate. Union's unbeaten streak against Mainz continued, equal to seven games (four victories, three draws).
Prior to the game, Svensson expressed his affection for Mainz, having spent a substantial portion of his career with the Rhineland-Palatinate club as both a player and a head coach (January 2021 to November 2023). Mainz fans enthusiastically welcomed him before the match.
A level playing field - not much to cheer about
During the first half, Svensson observed a challenging yet balanced bout between the two sides. Both teams prioritized defense, allowing for only a few scoring opportunities. Mainz's Jae-sung Lee missed a chance to find the back of the net after heading a promising play off-target (20').
Union asked for a penalty when Karim Onisiwo hit the deck in the box in the 41st minute, but referee Harm Osmers waived the appeal. The visitors best opportunity in the half came from Benedict Hollerbach, whose powerful shot was somehow stopped by Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner (42').
After halftime, Mainz upped the ante while Union appeared devoid of ideas. Onisiwo's attempt ended up over the bar (46'), while Philipp Mwene's tight-angle effort was saved by Union keeper Frederik Rønnow (50'). Amiri's subsequent free-kick was also denied by Rønnow.
Soon after, Rønnow was beaten by Amiri's impressive free-kick. After Union's equalizer, Mainz remained aggressive. In the closing stages, Zentner managed to save a Jordan shot (84'). Mainz's greatest chance came in extra time, but captain Jonathan Burkardt sent a rebound flying over the bar.
Despite the entertaining free-kick from Nadiem Amiri and Mainz's relentless pursuit of a win, the outcome remained 'Other' than a home victory. Late in the game, Laszlo Benes' equalizer ensured that Union escaped with a draw, demonstrating the 'Other' team's ability to hold onto a point.
