Bundesliga
Mainz dominated Holstein Kiel in a 3-0 away victory on Matchday 11, with goals from Nadiem Amiri, Jonathan Burkardt, and Jae-Sung Lee. Paul Nebel pulled the strings from midfield in what was a record-breaking performance for Mainz in terms of their away form.
Kiel 0-3 Mainz
Goals: 0-1 Amiri 11’ (assist: Nebel), 0-2 Burkardt 37’, 0-3 Lee 53’ (assist: Caci)
Mainz entered the match looking to extend their unbeaten away run, while Kiel were seeking to bounce back from recent setbacks. The visitors fielded a strong lineup, with Bo Henriksen able to start the same XI that impressed against Borussia Dortmund in their previous outing.
Mainz wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Nadiem Amiri breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute. The midfielder capped off a well-worked team move, combining with Paul Nebel before firing a low shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. Kiel struggled to contain Mainz's aggressive start, with the visitors creating several chances in the opening exchanges. The hosts briefly threatened around the 20-minute mark, but Mainz's defence held firm, limiting Kiel to speculative efforts from distance.
Mainz's control of the game was further cemented in the 37th minute when they were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for handball by Armin Gigović. Jonathan Burkardt stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to double Mainz's advantage. The penalty came at a crucial time, just as Kiel were beginning to show signs of life in the match. Burkardt's goal effectively deflated the hosts' growing momentum and sent Mainz into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion. Notably, Kiel had made early substitutions in the 33rd minute, with Finn Porath and Gigović replacing Shuto Machino and Tymoteusz Puchacz respectively, indicating tactical struggles for the home side.
Any hopes of a Kiel comeback were swiftly extinguished early in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Jae-sung Lee found the back of the net with a well-placed header, capitalising on a pinpoint cross from Anthony Caci. The goal, coming against his former club, effectively killed off the contest and underlined Mainz's superiority. Lee's strike was a testament to Mainz's clinical finishing, as they continued to create chances and dominate possession throughout the second half. Kiel's frustration showed when Patrick Erras received a yellow card in the 56th minute, further highlighting the home side's struggles.
Nebel delivered a standout performance that earned him the Man of the Match accolade. The young midfielder was at the heart of Mainz's attacking play, providing the assist for Amiri's opening goal and consistently creating chances throughout the match. Nebel's vision and passing ability were on full display, as he completed a high percentage of his passes and was involved in several key attacking moves. His work rate was equally impressive, covering 12.4 kilometers – the most of any player on the pitch – and being pressed 21 times, the highest in the match, showcasing his importance to Mainz's play and his ability to perform under pressure. His five shots were also the most of any player.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Kiel 0.49 - Mainz 05 2.21
Fastest player: Danny da Costa (Mainz), 34.78 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), 10 percent
Most pressed player: Paul Nebel (Mainz), 21 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Dominik Kohr (Mainz), +2.67
This convincing victory extends Mainz's unbeaten away run to nine consecutive Bundesliga matches, setting a new club record. The result solidifies Mainz's position in the top half of the table, while Kiel's struggles continue as they remain in the relegation zone. Mainz's dominant performance, characterized by superior possession (58%), passing accuracy (84%), and shots on target (8 vs 2), underlines their growing confidence away from home. For Kiel, this defeat highlights the urgent need for improvement as they face a crucial relegation battle in the coming weeks.