Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Mainz 05; Peter Stöger’s last home game?
The last home game of this season is here. The Black and Yellows will be looking to end their home campaign with a win against Mainz 05. Weidenfeller is in line for his final appearance at Signal Iduna Park.
Borussia Dortmund is yet to seal their spot in next season’s Champions League. A win in the next two games would be enough to earn a top 4 spot. Their opposition, Mainz 05 is also looking for a win this weekend to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.
Peter Stöger and Roman Weidenfeller will also likely make their last appearances at home for the Black and Yellows. Reports claim that Lucien Favre has bagged the job at Borussia Dortmund for next season. Weidenfeller will end his 16-year association with the club, retiring from football at the end of this season. Here is all you need to know about this weekend’s clash.
Match Information
Location: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
Date: May 5th, 2018
Time: 1:30pm(GMT)/2:30pm(local time)
Form Guide
Borussia Dortmund
Last 5 matches: LWLWD
Last match: Borussia Dortmund 1 Werder Bremen 1
Analysis: Dortmund were looking to seal their Champions League spot as they came up against Werder Bremen last weekend. The Black and Yellows had a fantastic start as Reus gave them the lead in the 19th minute. But Delaney’s strike at the stroke at half-time brought Bremen level. The second-half was a fairly open contest with both sides having equal opportunities. But they were unable to capitalize on them and the game ended in a draw.
Mainz 05
Last 5 matches: DDWLW
Last match: Mainz 05 3 RB Leipzig 0
Analysis: Mainz played one of their best performances this season as they faced Leipzig in the Bundesliga last weekend. Blasis opened the scoring for his side through a 29th-minute penalty. RB Leipzig controlled most of the possession throughout the fixture. But the Mainz defense stood tall, ensuring the opposition had minimum shots on target. The game had an exciting finish as Maxim and Baku scored to seal the game for Mainz in the last 10 minutes. Liverpool bound, Naby Keita was sent off in injury as he received 2 yellows in the space of 5 minutes.
Opposition star man – Jean-Philippe Gbamin
It has been a pretty average season for Mainz. But Gbamin has managed to be the standout player for the club this season. The Ivorian International has been solid in Maniz’s midfield. He has made 28 appearances in all competition. The 22-year old started out as a centre-back but as featured as a midfielder this season. Gbamin is known for safely dribbling the ball out of danger for his side. He is also known for his ability in the air and breaking down opposition play in the middle of the park. Dortmund players must find a way to get through Gbamin if they are going trouble Mainz’s defense on Saturday.
Last Match – Borussia Dortmund 2 Mainz 05 0
Dortmund were up against Mainz at the Opel Arena during the first half of the Bundesliga last time around. The Blacks and Yellows were made to work and the home side was up to the task. Mainz managed to hold out for the first half of the fixture. But goals from Sokratis and Kagawa in the second half ensured Borussia Dortmund pick up three points on the road.
Possible lineups
Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Sokratis, Toprak, Akanji, Weigl, Götze, Pulisic, Reus, Sancho, Philipp
Mainz 05: Zentner, Brosinski, Bell, Hack, Diallo, Serdar, Gbamin, Latza, Öztunali, Muto, De Blasis