FSV Mainz 05 0-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Bwin’s post-match review of FSV Mainz 05 0-1 Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga on Friday, 05 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Borussia Mönchengladbach secured a narrow 1-0 victory over FSV Mainz 05. The first half remained goalless, with both sides creating chances but failing to convert, as Mainz held a slight edge in possession while Gladbach looked sharper on the counter. A key VAR check in the 19th minute involving Maxim Leitsch added tension but did not alter the scoreline, and Joe Scally picked up a yellow card for Gladbach shortly after. Coming into this match off a run of four wins in their last five league games, Gladbach maintained their momentum, while Mainz’s recent form of three losses and two draws in five left them vulnerable.

The decisive moment arrived in the 58th minute when Danny da Costa scored an own goal for Mainz, assisted by Haris Tabakovic, handing Gladbach the lead. Mainz pushed forward with substitutions like Arnaud Nordin replacing Phillipp Mwene in the 66th minute, followed by double changes in the 77th as Benedict Hollerbach came on for Fabio Moreno Fell and Nikolas Veratschnig for Silvan Widmer, but they could not find an equaliser. Late yellow cards for Veratschnig in the 90th minute and Andreas Hanche-Olsen in stoppage time reflected Mainz’s frustration, while Gladbach managed the game well with their own changes, including Kevin Stöger replacing Giovanni Reyna in the 69th. This result extended Mainz’s winless streak, contrasting with Gladbach’s strong recent performances that have boosted their mid-table position.

Mainz edged possession with 55% compared to Gladbach’s 45%, suggesting they controlled more of the ball, but Gladbach proved more effective in transition with 54 successful dribbles against Mainz’s 33, highlighting their threat on the break. Corners were close at 8-6 in Mainz’s favour, pointing to set-piece opportunities that went unconverted, while the card count showed Mainz picking up two yellows late on against Gladbach’s one, indicating a scrappier end for the hosts. No red cards, penalties or injury-time goals were recorded, and assists were limited, with the game’s only goal coming from an own goal.

Substitutions saw Mainz use four, starting with Arnaud Nordin replacing Phillipp Mwene at 66 minutes, followed by Benedict Hollerbach for Fabio Moreno Fell and Nikolas Veratschnig for Silvan Widmer at 77 minutes, and Sota Kawasaki for Jae-sung Lee at 88 minutes, as they chased the game. Gladbach made three changes, with Kevin Stöger coming on for Giovanni Reyna at 69 minutes, Grant-Leon Ranos for Shuto Machino at 79 minutes, and Marvin Friedrich for Jens Castrop in stoppage time, helping them see out the win.

The match’s turning point came in the 58th minute when Danny da Costa turned the ball into his own net for Mainz, assisted by Haris Tabakovic, giving Gladbach a lead they would hold onto. Earlier, a VAR review in the 19th minute focused on Maxim Leitsch but resulted in no change, while Joe Scally’s yellow card at 25 minutes for a foul added caution to Gladbach’s play. Mainz’s late push involved key substitutions, such as Arnaud Nordin replacing Phillipp Mwene at 66 minutes to inject energy, and a double switch at 77 minutes where Benedict Hollerbach came on for Fabio Moreno Fell and Nikolas Veratschnig for Silvan Widmer, but these failed to break down Gladbach’s defence.

Gladbach managed their advantage with substitutions like Kevin Stöger replacing Giovanni Reyna at 69 minutes for midfield control, Grant-Leon Ranos for Shuto Machino at 79 minutes to freshen the attack, and Marvin Friedrich for Jens Castrop in added time to shore up the backline. Tension rose late with yellow cards for Nikolas Veratschnig at 90 minutes and Andreas Hanche-Olsen at 90+3 minutes, both for fouls as Mainz grew desperate, but Gladbach stayed composed to claim the points.

FSV Mainz 05 lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, focusing on width through wing-backs like Phillipp Mwene and Silvan Widmer, who provided outlets before their substitutions, while partnerships in midfield involving Jae-sung Lee aimed to control the tempo. Danny da Costa’s role in defence proved costly with his own goal, and late introductions like Nikolas Veratschnig and Sota Kawasaki sought to add dynamism. Andreas Hanche-Olsen anchored the backline but picked up a late booking.

Borussia Mönchengladbach deployed a 3-4-2-1 shape, emphasising midfield creativity with players like Giovanni Reyna before his replacement by Kevin Stöger, and Haris Tabakovic’s assist highlighted their forward threat. Joe Scally contributed on the flank despite his early yellow card, while substitutions such as Grant-Leon Ranos for Shuto Machino and Marvin Friedrich for Jens Castrop helped maintain defensive solidity. Maxim Leitsch was involved in an early VAR check, underscoring the backline’s resilience.

Kaishu Sano earned Bwin’s Man of the Match award for his influential display in midfield, creating one big chance and delivering three key passes that kept his team’s attacks flowing, even without registering a goal or assist himself. His performance stood out in a tightly contested game, providing the vision and composure that helped dictate play against a determined opponent.

Recent Bundesliga matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Borussia Mönchengladbach (H)
• Loss: 0-4 vs SC Freiburg (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs TSG Hoffenheim (H)
• Loss: 0-1 vs Eintracht Frankfurt (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Werder Bremen (H)

Recent Bundesliga matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs FSV Mainz 05 (A)
• Draw: 0-0 vs RB Leipzig (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Heidenheim (A)
• Win: 3-1 vs FC Köln (H)
• Win: 4-0 vs St. Pauli (A)

FSV Mainz 05 have just suffered a 0-1 home defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach, extending their poor run with three losses and two draws in their last five league games, leaving them in 18th place on six points and deep in relegation trouble. They now face Lech Poznań on 2025-12-11 at 20:00, a match that offers a chance to regain confidence and pick up vital points against opposition whose current standing is yet to be confirmed. With their position precarious, Mainz will need to turn around their form to start climbing the table and avoid further slides.

Borussia Mönchengladbach have just claimed a 1-0 away win over FSV Mainz 05, building on their strong recent form with four wins and one draw in their last five league outings, placing them 10th on 16 points and in contention for European spots. Their next challenge is against VfL Wolfsburg on 2025-12-13 at 14:30, with the opponents currently 14th on 12 points, presenting an opportunity to maintain momentum and push higher up the standings. A positive result could solidify their mid-table security and keep the pressure on teams above them.

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