Played
January 22, 2012 11:30 AM EST
BayArena — Leverkusen
Referee: M. Weiner
Attendance: 24365
January 22, 2012 11:30 AM EST
BayArena — Leverkusen
Referee: M. Weiner
Attendance: 24365
Top of the Match
Marco Caligiuri
Mainz
Mainz
Adam Szalai
Mainz
Mainz
Flop of the Match
Malik Fathi
Mainz
Mainz
Zdenek Pospech
Mainz
Mainz
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Mainz: Lars Bender nets winner as Robin Dutt's men survive second half scare to claim three points
Leverkusen was left reeling after the plucky minnows fought back from two goals down, but managed to get it together and came out on top in what proved to be thrilling game.
By Vasil Kotsev
Bayer Leverkusen was made to work hard for a win against Mainz at the BayArena as Thomas Tuchel's men produced a brilliant comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit, but were ultimately punished by a header by Lars Bender in a 3-2 triumph for the home side.
Robin Dutt's men thought they had the three points in the bag after Zdenek Pospech scored an own goal and Manuel Friedrich headed in a second just before halftime, but had no idea what was in store for them after the break.
Mainz hit the home side with a three-minute double salvo in the second period through Eugen Polanski and Marco Caligiuri, but Bender popped up with the winner to secure an important victory.
Leverkusen started the game superbly, intensively pressing Tuchel's side all over the pitch. The approach soon bore fruit as in the 10th minute a cross by Danny Da Costa was cleared into the net by Pospech.
Mainz was rarely threatening on the counter and aside from a speculative shot from distance by Polanski, the team barely managed to create a chance in front of Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Dutt's men, however, were looking increasingly dangerous in attack, and soon doubled the lead through Friedrich, who headed in a corner from Gonzalo Castro inside the box to make it 2-0.
The second half got to the worst possible start for B04, however, as in the 50th minute Polanski took advantage of a poorly cleared ball by Leno, easily converting from close range to cut his team's deficit in half.
The Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper was the villain once again just moments later when he was caught off his line, and was beaten by Caligiuri's delightful lob, which nestled in the top right corner.
Dutt's side, clearly stunned by the developments, threw everything forward in search of a winner. Germany international Bender rose to the occasion, sending an unstoppable header past Christian Wetklo to give Leverkusen the lead once again.
B04 survived a scare in the 77th minute, when Leno left Adam Szalai with a free header, but the former Real Madrid man could not find the target.
The result edges Leverkusen to within seven points of the Champions League positions in the Bundesliga, while Mainz remains in relegation trouble.
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Robin Dutt's men thought they had the three points in the bag after Zdenek Pospech scored an own goal and Manuel Friedrich headed in a second just before halftime, but had no idea what was in store for them after the break.
Mainz hit the home side with a three-minute double salvo in the second period through Eugen Polanski and Marco Caligiuri, but Bender popped up with the winner to secure an important victory.
Leverkusen started the game superbly, intensively pressing Tuchel's side all over the pitch. The approach soon bore fruit as in the 10th minute a cross by Danny Da Costa was cleared into the net by Pospech.
Mainz was rarely threatening on the counter and aside from a speculative shot from distance by Polanski, the team barely managed to create a chance in front of Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Dutt's men, however, were looking increasingly dangerous in attack, and soon doubled the lead through Friedrich, who headed in a corner from Gonzalo Castro inside the box to make it 2-0.
The second half got to the worst possible start for B04, however, as in the 50th minute Polanski took advantage of a poorly cleared ball by Leno, easily converting from close range to cut his team's deficit in half.
The Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper was the villain once again just moments later when he was caught off his line, and was beaten by Caligiuri's delightful lob, which nestled in the top right corner.
Dutt's side, clearly stunned by the developments, threw everything forward in search of a winner. Germany international Bender rose to the occasion, sending an unstoppable header past Christian Wetklo to give Leverkusen the lead once again.
B04 survived a scare in the 77th minute, when Leno left Adam Szalai with a free header, but the former Real Madrid man could not find the target.
The result edges Leverkusen to within seven points of the Champions League positions in the Bundesliga, while Mainz remains in relegation trouble.
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to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stefan Kießling Striker Bayer Leverkusen |
25 | 4 |
|
Robert Lewandowski Striker Borussia Dortmund |
24 | 1 |
|
Alexander Meier Midfielder Eintracht Frankfurt |
17 | 3 |
|
Vedad Ibisevic Striker VfB Stuttgart |
15 | 5 |
|
Mario Mandzukic Striker FC Bayern München |
15 | 0 |
