13 August 2021, 22:13 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
German Bundesliga fixture, 1. FSV Mainz 05 vs. RB Leipzig kicks off at 14:30 (GMT+1) on Sunday, August 15 at the Mewa Arena.
Preview 1. FSV Mainz 05 Bundesliga, Aug 15, 2021
Preview The 05ers return to Bundesliga action after their first-round win in the DFB-Pokal fixture against SV Elversberg on penalties, 8-7, which saw them qualify for the second round of the tournament. The 27-year-old striker, Luca Schnellbacher (73') handed the opponents the lead late into the second half before Jonathan Burkardt (89') made it a goal apiece to send the game into extra-time. Schnellbacher (110') returned for the brace but another goal from Burkardt (116’) saw the fixture progress into a penalty shootout. The 05ers were busy in the transfer market, - bringing in several players across several departments in the hope of strengthening the squad. Robin Quaison departed the club on a free transfer while attacking midfielder, Jae-sung Lee came in on a similar arrangement. Coach, Bo Svensson would like to select maximum points in their opening game of the new season against title contenders, RB Leipzig. He could line up his side with three at the back once again as he did against SV Elversberg in a 3—4—1—2 formation with the duo, Ádám Szalai and Burkardt in attack. Defensive midfielder, Anton Stach remains suspended for a red card he picked up in the closing stages of last season and will be unavailable for Mainz in this fixture.
Preview RB Leipzig Bundesliga, Aug 15, 2021
Preview RB Leipzig will prepare for life without Julian Nagelsmann who left to fill the vacant managerial seat at F.C. Bayern Munich after spending two seasons with the club. The 34-year-old German coach guided Leipzig to an impressive 2nd-place finish in their last campaign in Germany's top-flight league. Jesse Marsch was handpicked to fill the void left by the departure of Nagelsmann, - signing a contract up until June 2023. The Red Bulls will aim for the Bundesliga title, with a good run of form in the UEFA Champions League also on the agenda. Recently, they bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of ex-Milan forward, André Silva from Eintracht Frankfurt on a five-year deal for a fee of €23M. They also announced the signing of centre-back Mohamed Simakan from Strasbourg after forking out a fee of €18M. Last weekend, they picked up a 4-0 victory over SV Sandhausen in the first round of the DFB Pokal. Coach, Jesse Marsch could use an attacking 4—2—3—1 formation with newly acquired Portuguese forward, André Silva leading the attack once again as he did against SV Sandhausen. Left-back, Marcelo Saracchi remains sidelined for a lengthy spell due to a cruciate ligament rupture.