Agency :
Mainz showed no mercy with Augsburg and paved the way for the win with three goals within 26 minutes to secure all three points on home soil at the opener of the 9th round in Bundesliga on Friday.
The hosts wasted no time and took the reins with the kick-off as Jonathan Burkardt forced Augsburg goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz into action with only two minutes gone.
Mainz completed their perfect start into the game with 10 minutes played when Karim Onisiwo benefitted on Robert Gumny’s missed clearance before tapping the ball past hapless Giekiewicz.
Augsburg was shocked and couldn’t respond whereas Mainz poured forward and doubled its advantage five minutes later when Burkardt’s good build-up work and pass allowed Stefan Bell to slot home right footed from inside the box.
The “Fuggerstadter” couldn’t put up some resistance and had to swallow another goal from Mainz as Onisiwo’s pinpoint cross to the far point found Burkardt, who made it three by header in the 26th minute.
Mainz continued relentless and should have made it four ten minutes later but for all that unmarked Onisiwo couldn’t beat Giekiewicz from very close range.
Just before the half time, Giekiewicz prevented a higher deficit for his squad again after neutralizing Burkardt’s dangerous ball from inside the area.
After the restart, Augsburg assumed control as Mainz seemed content with its three-goal lead. Still, the visitors had to wait until the 69th minute before Andi Zeqiri finished off Andre Hahn’s through ball to make it 3-1 on the scoreboards.
It was a short-lived joy for Augsburg though as Mainz remained unimpressed and restored its three-goal lead only two minutes later when Onisiwo teed up for Burkardt, who snatched his brace and killed the game in the 71st minute.
With the result, Mainz return to winning ways and secure and climb on the 6th spot meanwhile Augsburg suffered its 5th defeat and stay on the 16th place.
“I am satisfied with the performance in the first half. After the break we eased off for good 20 minutes. I did not like that, but I saw a lot of positive things today,” said Mainz head coach Bo Svensson.
“What can I say. We staged a poor performance and Mainz dominated us. They are not Bayern, but they still did what they wanted with us. If we continue to play like this, we will relegate, and every team member needs to know this” said Augsburg goalkeeper Gikiewicz.
