Mainz 05 pile more misery on lacklustre Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund failed to put an end to their winless run in their final game of 2023, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Mainz 05 at the Westfalenstadion. The Black and Yellows were left frustrated on the club's 114th birthday as Sepp van den Berg canceled out Julian Brandt's free-kick to secure an unlikely point for the 05ers.

The draw will do little to quell the pressure on Edin Terzic, who has seen his side go from near title winners to battling for a spot in the top four in the space of just seven months. Borussia Dortmund have won just one of their last eight matches in the Bundesliga, and are out of the top four going into the winter break.

Borussia Dortmund actually began the game against Mainz like a team with a point to prove. Jamie Bynoe-Gittens struck the woodwork with a fine effort, before Marcel Sabitzer and Donyell Malen forced good saves from the Mainz goalkeeper.

The wave of BVB attacks continued for the majority of the first-half. And the reward finally arrived in the 29th minute as Julian Brandt found the back of the net with a sublime free-kick.

Sabitzer then hit the post before forcing another good save in the closing stages of the first-half as Borussia Dortmund continued their dominance.

But there was nothing to separate the two sides going into the break after Mainz equalised out of nowhere in the 43rd minute. Sepp van den Berg made it 1-1 with a header to give the 06ers a route back into the game.

Buoyed by the equaliser, Mainz began the second-half very much on the front foot. And they were unlucky not to find a second goal. Borussia Dortmund looked flat and timid after the break, and weren't able to make the most of their opportunities following a strong start to the game.

BVB now go into the winter break in fifth place in the Bundesliga standings. With their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League in the balance, this latest blow will do little to ease the pressure on Edin Terzic and those in charge at the club.