Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Mainz Player Ratings: Jarell Quansah Strikes Late to Secure Draw | Bundesliga

At the BayArena, fans were treated to an intense and tactical battle as Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz 05 played out a 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga.

The match told the story of two different styles. Leverkusen dominated possession, passing the ball patiently and trying to control the tempo. Mainz, on the other hand, stayed compact and waited for the right moment to strike on the counterattack.

That moment came when Sheraldo Becker showed his sharpness in front of the goal. Latching onto an opportunity, he calmly slotted the ball home to give Mainz the lead, stunning the home crowd.

Leverkusen responded with determination. They kept the pressure on, with their midfield seeing plenty of the ball, but breaking through Mainz’s disciplined defense proved difficult. The breakthrough finally arrived when defender Jarell Quansah stepped up and found the equalizer, bringing relief to the home supporters.

Despite late efforts from both sides, neither team could find a winner. In the end, it was a match of small margins, flashes of quality mixed with moments of frustration. While Leverkusen may feel they could have done more with their dominance, Mainz will likely leave happier, having earned a valuable point on the road.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen Player Ratings vs FSV Mainz 05

Goalkeeper

Janis Blaswich - 6.5: He couldn't do much about the goal he conceded. Made a couple of decent saves, including one key stop from Becker early on. His distribution was okay, but he wasn't overly tested beyond picking the ball out of his net once.

Defenders

Jarell Quansah - 8.5: Our man of the match, without a doubt. It’s not often a defender steals the show but he was immense. Scored the all-important equalizer with a composed finish any striker would be proud of. Defensively solid and confident on the ball. A complete performance.

Robert Andrich - 7.5: The captain led by example. He was an absolute rock at the back, winning all his duels and making crucial clearances. His positioning was impeccable, and he organized the defense with authority. A proper warrior's display.

Edmond Tapsoba - 6.0: A really strange performance to rate. He had a massive 120 touches, but lost possession 16 times which is just too much. His ambition in passing was commendable but often misplaced. The booking he picked up summed up a slightly rash and frustrating day for him.

Midfielders

Ezequiel Fernández - 7.0: Ran the show for his 72 minutes on the pitch. Incredibly tidy in possession, keeping the play ticking over with a 93% pass accuracy. He won the majority of his duels and was a calming presence before being substituted. Solid outing.

Arthur - 5.5: Only played the first half and honestly, we barely noticed him. He struggled to get involved in the game and made no significant impact. Hooked at halftime, and it wasn’t a surprise.

Alejandro Grimaldo - 8.0: What a player. He was a creative force, constantly marauding down the flank and delivering dangerous balls into the box. Created an incredible five chances for his teammates. On another day he walks away with a couple of assists. Unlucky to not be on the winning team.

Exequiel Palacios - 7.5: The engine room of the team. He had a staggering 129 touches, showcasing his constant involvement. He broke up play effectively and drove the team forward from midfield. A tireless and powerful performance until his late substitution.

Forwards

Jonas Hofmann - 6.0: A quiet hour for the attacker. He had one shot on target but was largely on the periphery of the game. We expected to see more from a player of his quality before he was taken off.

Patrik Schick - 6.5: It was a night of frustration for the big striker. He got into some great positions and had four shots, but his finishing touch deserted him. You could see the effort was there, but it just wasn't his day in front of goal.

Ernest Poku - 6.5: Showed some bright sparks and was tricky on the ball, completing a couple of nice dribbles. However, his final product was often lacking. He struggled to make a decisive contribution in his time on the pitch.

Substitutes

Substitutes - N/A: Several substitutions were made to try and find a winner, but the data for the incoming players was not available. They were unable to change the 1-1 scoreline.

Manager

K. Hjulmand - 6.5: His team dominated the ball as expected but lacked the cutting edge to turn possession into goals. The tactical setup was clear, but the lack of creativity in the final third against a deep-lying defense was a concern. He'll be disappointed with just one point.

FSV Mainz 05 Player Ratings vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Goalkeeper

Daniel Batz - 8.0: A fantastic performance from the Mainz keeper. He made four saves, three of which were from inside the box, to keep his team level. Commanded his area well and looked confident throughout. A key reason Mainz earned a point.

Defenders

Stefan Posch - 7.0: A really solid defensive shift from Posch. He won seven of his nine duels and made some crucial clearances and blocked shots. The yellow card was the only negative mark on an otherwise commanding display.

Dominik Kohr - 7.5: Positioned as a defender and he was brilliant. He read the game like a book, making four interceptions and four clearances. His passing was incredibly accurate, helping to relieve pressure. An intelligent and composed performance.

Kacper Potulski - 6.0: Found it tough against Leverkusen's fluid attack. He was a bit passive at times, losing all of his duels. He did make some important clearances but looked like the weak link in the backline.

Midfielders

Phillipp Mwene - 6.5: An energetic but slightly chaotic performance. He worked hard up and down the flank, getting into good attacking positions but his final ball was lacking. Lost possession too many times for our liking.

Kaishu Sano - 7.0: What stood out was his incredible work rate. He made a staggering 11 ball recoveries in midfield, constantly breaking up Leverkusen's rhythm. He even created a big chance, showing his quality on the ball as well.

Jae-sung Lee - 6.5: A tidy and efficient performance without being spectacular. He kept the ball moving with an 83% pass accuracy but offered little in terms of a direct threat. A solid, if unremarkable, game before his substitution.

Paul Nebel - 7.5: The creative hub for Mainz. He provided a brilliant assist for Becker's goal and was a constant threat. He was always looking to make things happen and was unlucky not to create more. A very impressive display.

Silvan Widmer - 6.5: The captain put in a real shift for his team. He battled hard defensively, making three interceptions. However, like a few of his teammates, he was sometimes wasteful in possession before he was subbed off.

Forwards

Phillip Tietz - 5.5: A very difficult afternoon for the striker. He fought hard, but lost 13 of his 18 duels and missed a big chance to score. His touch seemed to desert him, and he gave the ball away far too often. A day to forget.

Sheraldo Becker - 8.0: Mainz's best player on the day. He took his goal with supreme confidence and looked like a threat every time he touched the ball. His pace caused problems and his finishing was ruthless. It was a surprise to see him substituted so early.

Substitutes

Substitutes - N/A: Mainz brought on fresh legs to see out the game and hold onto their precious point. The specific players' data was not available, but the changes helped solidify the team defensively to secure the draw.

Manager

U. Fischer - 7.5: A tactical masterclass from the Mainz manager. He set his team up to be compact and difficult to beat, and they executed his plan perfectly. They frustrated Leverkusen and were clinical on the counter. He will be absolutely delighted with this result on the road.