Cup hurdle overcome: Mainz wins in Dresden

FSV Mainz 05 overcame the cup hurdle of Dynamo Dresden and gained confidence for Thursday's Conference League match at Rosenborg Trondheim. The Bundesliga club won 1:0 (1:0) against Dynamo Dresden, who were promoted from the second division. International Nadiem Amiri gave Mainz the lead with a free-kick after 22 minutes in front of 30,105 spectators. Jakob Lemmer (66) missed a great chance to equalize when he fired a penalty directly into the arms of FSV goalkeeper Robin Zentner. Visiting coach Bo Henriksen was shown the red card after 86 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Dynamo without attacking duo

Dynamo had to make do without goalkeeper Christoph Daferner, who had injured his hand, and Vincent Vermeij, who was expected to be in the starting line-up. The new signing from Fortuna Düsseldorf is suffering from a viral infection.

The opening phase belonged to the hosts, who aggressively disrupted the midfield and created two great chances in the first few minutes through Nils Fröling (3rd, 6th). There was nothing to see from the Bundesliga side offensively until the 20th minute, which is why the lead came as something of a surprise. Amiri's free-kick from around 22 meters went off the inside of the post and into the goal.

Score changes the balance of power

Only then did the 05ers do justice to their role as favourites, playing forward and putting Dresden's cover under pressure on several occasions. Paul Nebel found his master with two one hundred percent chances (34th, 41st) in the attentive Dynamo goalkeeper Tim Schreiber.

Second half with less level

After the break, FSV took complete control of the game, but after 65 minutes the newly substituted Ben Bobzien conceded a handball in the penalty area. However, Lemmer kicked the ball so weakly that Zentner had no trouble picking it up.

Mainz then managed the lead, largely keeping Dynamo out of their own penalty area and thus saving energy. The home side only had opportunities in the closing stages, with Lemmer (87) getting free in front of Zentner but missing just wide.