Borussia Dortmund secured successive Bundesliga victories for just the second time this season by beating Mainz 05 4-2 in a dramatic match at Signal Iduna Park.
It was the visitors who took the lead inside the opening minute when Elkin Soto scored a stunning lob from 30 yards to put Dortmund under early pressure.
Jurgen Klopp's side took control early in the second half with goals from Neven Subotic and Marco Reus, but Yunus Malli responded for the visitors to make it 2-2.
However, a strong performance from Dortmund was rewarded as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nuri Sahin both scored to guide the hosts further away from the relegation zone.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Good evening everyone. The weekend starts here! Borussia Dortmund are back in Bundesliga action as Jurgen Klopp's side host Mainz 05 at Signal Iduna Park. Can Dortmund record successive wins for just the second time this season?
Dortmund's struggles have arguably been the biggest storyline in European football over the past few months, but they showed glimpses of their best form in a 3-0 win over Freiburg last weekend, and they can climb out of the bottom three with another positive result this evening. Mainz start the night just three points ahead of Dortmund in 13th spot.
Klopp has been in this position already this season. On a number of occasions it has looked like Dortmund have turned a corner, but another below-par display has too often brought them crashing back down to earth. In their current situation, wins are all that matters, and Klopp needs his side to find some momentum.
Kasper Hjulmand and his Mainz players could find themselves in a relegation battle, too, if their current form continues for much longer. A 5-0 thrashing of a struggling Paderborn side at the end of January is their only win in the last 12 league games - a run of results which has seen them go from European hopefuls to possible relegation candidates. Can they get back to their best tonight?
DORTMUND: Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Sokratis, Schmelzer, Sahin, Gundogan, Kampl, Kagawa, Reus, Aubameyang
SUBS: Langerak, Ginter, Kirch, Ramos, Immobile, Mkhitaryan, Jojic
SUBS: Langerak, Ginter, Kirch, Ramos, Immobile, Mkhitaryan, Jojic
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang starts in attack with support from Marco Reus, Shinji Kagawa and Kevin Kampl as Klopp sticks with a 4-2-3-1 formation. There's no place in the squad for Mats Hummels, who has been battling with a virus in recent days. As a result, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Neven Subotic start in central defence.
MAINZ: Kapino, Brosinski, Bell, Bungert, Bengtsson, Soto, Baumgartlinger, Malli, Geis, Hofmann, Okazaki
SUBS: Zentner, Jara, Koo, De Blasis, Diaz, Park, Clemens
SUBS: Zentner, Jara, Koo, De Blasis, Diaz, Park, Clemens
Shinji Okazaki leads the line for Mainz tonight, while there are also starts for Elkin Soto and Yunus Malli. Jonas Hofmann starts against the club he is on loan at Mainz from. Can he upset his employers tonight?
TGIF Jurgen, am I right?
14 - @BVB have won 14 of their last 16 matches on Fridays in the #Bundesliga (2 draws) and all of their last 7. Holiday. #bvbm05
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) February 13, 2015
Klopp takes on the club he spent seven years with between 2001-08 before moving on to help Dortmund become the main challengers to Bayern's dominance. Can he guide his side back to success? Staying in the league is all that matters this season, but he'll have one eye on the Champions League tie with Juventus next week.
Shinji vs. Shinji! Clash of the best Japanese players of the #Bundesliga! #Okazaki #Kagawa #Zerofivers @S_Kagawa0317 pic.twitter.com/OoOvReMdFL
— 1. FSV Mainz 05 (@Mainz05en) February 12, 2015
Here we go then. Both sides are out on the pitch and kickoff is just a few moments away.
Mainz get the game underway!
GOAL! DORTMUND 0-1 MAINZ (SOTO)
What a start for Mainz! A chipped pass over the top forces Weidenfeller off his line, but his clearance only goes as far as Soto, who does brilliantly to lob the ball home from 25 yards. It's a superb finish.
OFF THE BAR! You can't catch your breath at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund almost immediately hit back through Reus, who finds space on the right side of the box to rattle the post with a powerful effort. Kapino is then forced to make a save from Kampl.
The Dortmund fans were stunned by that goal in the opening minute. Is it going to be the same old story for the hosts? They've dominated possession since falling behind, but Mainz can work on the break now.
You really can't praise that Soto goal enough. One touch and a half volley from just over 25 yards to find the back of the net under pressure. it doesn't come much better than that.
SAVE! This is turning into a brilliant game. Kagawa plays an inch-perfect pass into the path of Aubameyang, who sprints clear of the Mainz defence before watching Kapino make a stunning stop to keep out his effort.
Dortmund are moving the ball around quickly, and have tried to get Reus and Kagawa involved as often as possible. Mainz are sticking to their task well, but the pace of the home side has seen them get in behind on more than one occasion. Kapino, who is only playing due to a suspension for Loris Karius, has kept them ahead so far.
There's a break in play to allow Baumgartlinger to receive treatment after appearing to be caught in the eye by Gundogan's finger. He should be fine to come back on in a few minutes.
Schmelzer makes a good run forward from full back, but Gundogan's ball is too firm for his teammate to control in a congested penalty area. The pace of the game has slowed following the frantic start.
Excellent play from Gundogan as he skips a couple of challenges in midfield to come forward with the ball before ignoring his options to strike an effort which is blocked on the edge of the box.
Mainz are starting to look much more comfortable after surviving that extended spell of the pressure from the hosts. Hjulmand will be very happy if they can continue to keep the ball like they are at the moment.
That Twitter handle belongs to Marco Reus, for some reason.
4 - @woodyinho has his 4th shot denied by woodwork this season, most among all players in the Bundesliga (@KimoBellarabi has 4 too).Unlucky.
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) February 13, 2015
There's a moment of confusion between Bungert and Kapino, but the former avoids a mistake by clearing the ball away for a corner under pressure from Aubameyang. Reus fires a wayward shot out for a throw-in moments later.
Kapino's confident start to a rare start continues as he claims a corner under pressure from Sokratis, who fouls his fellow Greece international. Dortmund's supporters continue to urge on the team, but they'll surely be feeling the nerves once again.
Soto and Baumgartlinger are sitting very deep in midfield in a attempt to limit the space on offer to Kagawa and Reus, who have drifted in and out of the game in the early stages. Dortmund have had seven shots, Mainz just one, but the scoreline is the only thing that matters.
Subotic, perhaps knowing that he isn't the quickest player on the pitch, pulls back Hofmann to attempt him from chasing down a ball over the defence. The Dortmund defender is fortunate not to pick up a booking.
The Dortmund fans are furious as they believe their side should have a penalty. Aubameyang's pace allows him to collect a clever pass from Reus on the counter, but he's challenged by Bengtsson, who leans into the Gabon international. No penalty. Good decision.
CHANCE! Dortmund really should be level. Piszczek delivers an excellent cross into the box, but when the ball drops to Reus, he loses his composure and fires over from 12 yards. He has to score from that position.
Dortmund are doing a good job of putting pressure on Mainz when they don't have the ball, but the visitors are getting enough men back to make it difficult for Klopp's side to find space. There's definitely more chances available for the hosts. They need to capitalise soon.
Excellent work from Brosinski. He sprints past a helpless Kampl before poking the ball beyond Schmelzer and delivering a cross which is just begging to be tapped in from a couple of yards out. Weidenfeller is relieved to see the ball miss out the Mainz forwards in the box.
It's difficult to fault Dortmund. Apart from Soto's moment of brilliance in the opening minute, Dortmund have been the better side. Another promising move breaks down when Kampl is caught in an offside position. Klopp will be desperate to find an equaliser before the break.
CLOSE! Dortmund are just a few inches away from the equaliser. Kapino comes off his line to punch a Reus free kick as far as Kagawa, who unleashes a superb half-volley from the edge of the box which drifts just past the post.
Begntsson produces a great piece of defending to dispossess Aubameyang as the forward looked to break into some space in the box. Dortmund keep the pressure on, but Kampl wastes a decent position by slicing an effort wide from 25 yards.
HALF TIME: DORTMUND 0-1 MAINZ
A minute of stoppage time passes by without a moment of drama, and it's Mainz who take a 1-0 lead into the half-time interval. It's been a very entertaining start to this match. Mainz have arrived with a game plan, and it's working so far. Of course, a stunning goal in the opening minute always helps.
As always, the Dortmund support has been excellent, but there was a few jeers and whistles when the half-time whistle was blown. The home side have created a number of good chances, with Reus hitting the post and firing over from a great position. Aubameyang has looked dangerous, too, but Mainz are battling impressively.
You can now read Joe Fish's report of a dramatic first half at Signal Iduna Park. Are Dortmund heading for an incredible 12th Bundesliga defeat of the season?
If the score stays the same Mainz, who have won just once in their last 12 league games, will climb up to ninth in the table before the rest of the Bundesliga are in action. Dortmund could be bottom again by the end of the weekend.
Both sides are back out on the pitch for the second half, and Klopp has decided to delay any changes. Adrian Ramos, Ciro Immobile and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are all on the bench.
Mainz have travelled with good numbers tonight. There's a round 3,500 supporters here for the visitors, and they've just got the attention of the referee by setting of a few smoke bombs.
YELLOW CARD! Brosinski picks up the first booking of the evening when he chops down Schmelzer after the Dortmund full back had beaten him to the ball just outside the box.
It's clear what the intention is from the free kick, but Kapino reads the flight off the ball to easily make the save from Reus, who looks very disappointed with his effort.
GOAL! DORTMUND 1-1 MAINZ (SUBOTIC)
Dortmund draw level in front of 'The Yellow Wall' and it's Subotic who gets the goal. Schmelzer delivers a corner into the perfect area, and the centre back climbs highest to head past a helpless Kapino. Can Dortmund go on to win this match?
It's all Dortmund at the start of the second half. Mainz can't relieve the pressure as Malli gives away another corner. The home side retain possession until Kampl sends a speculative effort over the crossbar.
Mainz are losing their composure now. Dortmund are quicker to every ball, and the likes of Reus and Aubameyang are starting to find space. The visitors can't allow this game to become stretched. Only a poor touch from Aubameyang in the box prevents the hosts from setting up another chance.
GOAL! DORTMUND 2-1 MAINZ (REUS)
Who else? Just a few days after signing a new contract with the club, Reus puts his side ahead. Kampl finds space 25 yards from goal, and he plays the perfect through ball for Reus, who keeps his composure to round Kapino and tap into an empty net. He's so important to this club. It's an excellent finish.
GOAL! DORTMUND 2-2 MAINZ (MALLI)
What a game we have on our hands! Mainz hit back immediately as the referee plays excellent advantage when Subotic fouls Okazaki to allow Soto to pick up the loose ball. He picks out Malli on the right side of the box, and pressure from Weidenfeller and Schmelzer fails to prevent him from finishing emphatically. That's three goals in seven minutes.
SUBSTITUTION: Mainz make their first change as Hofmann limps off to be replaced by Koo Ja-Cheol.
Dortmund are still seeing more of the ball, but Mainz have settled down once again. Klopp will not be happy with a draw tonight. It looked like the Reus goal had put the hosts on their way, but this plucky Mainz side will not go away. They win a free kick in a decent position.
Mainz send the big boys up from the back, but Bengtsson is unable to pick out anyone with the free kick as he lofts the ball straight out for a goal kick.
CHANCE! This would have been a bit special. Kagawa turns into some space before chipping a ball over the top for Aubameyang, who attempts an overhead kick. Luckily for Kapino, the forward fails to make contact as he back tracks in the box.
Mainz are making the last-ditch tackles they need to as Kagawa and Aubameyang both fall at the final hurdle on the edge of the box. Klopp is angered when a couple of decision go against his side. He knows the pressure is on tonight.
A chipped ball forward bounces off Aubameyang, and Kagawa reacts quickest to drag a low effort just past the post from just outside the box.
It looks like another chance will fall to Mainz when a free kick is headed down for Koo, but the assistant referee raises his flag for offside.
SUBSTITUTION: Kampl has put in a decent shift, but his end product has been poor this evening. He comes off to be replaced by Mkhitaryan.
GOAL! DORTMUND 3-2 MAINZ (AUBAMEYANG)
Wow, this is a goal which deserves to win any football match. Reus displays his quality once again as he picks up the ball on the left wing before using the outside of his foot to deliver a stunning pass to Aubameyang, who takes one touch in the box and pokes the ball past Kapino. It's a brilliant piece of play from both players.
Can Mainz hit back again? They're committing men forward, but it's leaving a lot of space at the other end and Dortmund have the players to take advantage. Gundogan uses the space on offer 30 yards from goal to hit a speculative effort over.
Reus picks out Piszczek with another excellent pass, and he pulls the ball back into space in the box. Luckily for Mainz, Brosinski reacts quickest to clear the danger.
Dortmund are starting to look like the team we are used to seeing as they chase down the ball in pairs with superb energy in the middle of the park. Reus is involved to win the ball back for his side, and Gundogan links up with his teammate to win a free kick on the edge of the box.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Kagawa comes off to be replaced by Ginter, and Soto makes way for Clemens as both managers make changes.
GOAL! DORTMUND 4-2 MAINZ (SAHIN)
Dortmund cash in from the free kick on the edge of the box! Kapino gets two hands to Aubameyang's curled effort, but he can only push the ball straight to Sahin, who slots home for his first goal of the season. That should secure the win for Dortmund.
Dortmund win another free kick, this time from around 30 yards. Aubameyang fancies his chances, but he can only send the ball over the crossbar.
SUBSTITUTION: Okazaki comes off to be replaced by Pablo De Blasis as Mainz desperately search for a way back into the match.
CHANCE! Aubameyang's pace has caused problems all night, and he sprints clear once again to latch onto a long ball. He cuts onto his right foot, and probably should shoot, but he delays to pass to Mkhitaryan and the move breaks down.
SUBSTITUTION: Reus gets an absolutely fantastic reception from the Dortmund supporters for his fine display tonight. They'll be desperate to keep him here for as long as possible. Will that contract extension keep the European giants away? Ramos is his replacement.
Dortmund are heading for a second successive win. Is this man happy? You bet he is.
© Getty Images
SAVE! Mainz almost reduce the deficit as De Blasis finds some space to play in Koo, whose effort is blocked by Weidenfeller. That save should kill off the challenge from the visitors.
Mainz are being forced to launch hopeful balls forward now as Dortmund continue to apply pressure further up the pitch. Klopp will be delighted with how his midfield have performed this evening. Gundogan, in particular, has been superb.
SAVE! Another ball between centre back and full back plays in the impressive Aubameyang, who takes a touch before seeing Kapino react well to stop his low effort. Just two minutes added on at Signal Iduna Park.
FULL TIME: DORTMUND 4-2 MAINZ
Is this the turning point for Dortmund? Klopp's side have won successive games for just the second time this season, and they played some fantastic football on the way to securing all three points. We saw glimpses of the old Dortmund, and even an impressive challenge from Mainz was not enough to deny the hosts in a thrilling match. Dortmund climb above Mainz to reach 13th spot in the table.
That's all from me tonight. Thanks for joining me on an exciting evening in the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg and Schalke are all in action tomorrow, so make sure you keep an eye out for all of the news and results over the weekend on Sports Mole. Goodnight.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
