Mainz 05 scored twice in today's win over Wolfsburg at the Coface Arena with goals coming from Pablo de Blasis and Yunus Malli in a dominate performance.
This win for Martin Schmidt's side see's them move up into the ninth spot in the Bundesliga table while Wolfsburg remain one point ahead of Hertha Berlin in third.
Wolfsburg did not got get off to the best of starts in today's match as Julian Draxler was issued a red card in only the 13th minute. He and Jairo collided in the air with the former's boot up high. Even though he appologized immediately, the referee still gave Draxler his marching orders.
Because of that early red card, the visitors had trouble linking up in the midfield as Draxler usually sits in between the forward and the holding midfielders and is able to distribute the ball around to everyone to make sure his teammates got some touches. With him gone, so was that link and thusly, Wolfsburg turned over possession time and time again.
In the 24th minute, Mainz had their best chance to the evening thus far as another careless pass in the middle of the pitch resulted in Malli floating a cross in towards Yoshinori Muto but the Wolfsburg shot stopper was quick to react and grab the ball to advert any further danger.
Benaglio blunder proves costly
Shortly after the half an hour mark, however, there was a goal and came through Pablo de Blasis. The Swiss international, Diego Benaglio, dropped a cross and the the Argentine was quick to react and found the back of the net giving Mainz a much deserved first half lead.
Benaglio redeemed himself a little, five minutes after he gave up a first goal, he dove full stretch to keep out a shot from the hosts that most certainly would have made it 2-0.
Halftime: Mainz 05 1-0 Wolfsburg
This was a deserved halftime lead for the hosts as they dominated possession and were far more clinical in attack, albeit with some help by being a man up near the opening 15 minutes of the match.
Right from the second half whistle Mainz went on the attack and nearly came away with a decent look on goal with Daniel Brosinksi floating a dangerous inside the area, but Benaglio was able to catch the cross easily, four minutes into the half.
68 minutes into the match, the hosts could have doubled their lead. Muto tried to find Malli inside the area, however, at the last second Ricardo Rodriguez made a last ditch effort to stop further advancement for the time being.
Mainz's second goal did eventually come and it came with only fifteen minutes remaining in the match, Mainz hit Wolfsburg on a deadly counter following a set piece opportunity for the visitors down the other end of the pitch. Yoshinori Muto initiated the break down the left before threading a pass towards the 23-year-old Yunus Malli who then proceeded to stop for a second inside the area before placing his effort in behind Diego Benaglio.