Jonathan Burkardt bundled home a loose ball to give Mainz the lead five minutes before half-time, but Kolo Muani – who was denied by an offside flag in the first half – finished coolly midway through the second period to earn Oliver Glasner’s side a draw.
Eagles unchanged
Glasner named an unchanged team for Eintracht’s final game before the World Cup in Qatar. Kristijan Jakic was passed fit after suffering a swollen ankle in midweek, while Sebastian Rode was back on the bench after recovering from a calf problem.
Burkardt puts hosts in front
The first two opportunities of the game fell Mainz’s way, with Burkardt drawing a good save from Kevin Trapp before former Eintracht man Dominik Kohr fired narrowly wide from long range. Eintracht soon grew into the game, though, and went close to breaking the deadlock when Jesper Lindström sent a shot whistling past the post from Mario Götze’s pass.
Kolo Muani thought he had put Eintracht ahead after Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner had gifted the Eagles possession, but the 23-year-old’s celebrations were cut short by the assistant referee’s flag. In a frantic end to the first half, Burkardt bundled home the opener after Trapp had saved the 22-year-old’s initial header, before Lindström sent a free-kick into the Mainz wall from the edge of the box.
Eagles fight back
The home side started the second half on the front foot, Burkardt sending another header towards goal which Trapp did well to parry and Silvan Widmer drilling wide from a good position. The Eagles keeper had to be on his toes to deny Leandro Barreiro not long afterwards, but Kolo Muani stunned the home fans when he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the unguarded net from a fabulous Götze pass.
Eintracht were gradually gaining the upper hand again and Götze almost completed the turnaround, capitalising on another Zentner error before sending a long-range effort narrowly wide of the target. Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe tested Zentner late on, but there was to be no late winner at the MEWA Arena.
Summary: A point gained
This could prove to be an important point come the end of the campaign. Trapp, who is part of Hansi Flick’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, produced several fine saves to keep Mainz at bay, while Kolo Muani was a constant threat at the other end and earned the Eagles a point with a fine second-half finish.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Jakic (Smolcic 46’), Ndicka – Dina Ebimbe, Kamada, Sow, Knauff (Pellegrini 59’) – Lindström (Rode 59’ (Alario 90’)), Götze – Kolo Muani
Goals
1-0 Burkardt (40’)
1-1 Kolo Muani (67’)
