Mainz 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings: Xabi Alonso Denied Win By Efficient Mainz In Final Bayer Leverkusen Clash

Mainz played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in their final match of the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign at the MEWA Arena, Mainz on Sunday, 17th May 2024. The hosts took a lead in the first half, before Bayer made a comeback to make it 2-1 early in the second half. However, the hosts rallied back to make it 2-2 and were able to hold onto it until the end. Check out the Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings to see how the action unraveled.

The hosts began the game in blistering fashion, pushing Bayer Leverkusen back with their razor-sharp counter-attacks. They had an early chance in the 4th minute when defender Andreas Hanche-Olsen's acrobatic effort went over the bar. Paul Nebel came close to scoring a minute later, putting a shot just wide of the goal. Nebel had a huge chance to score the opener in the 7th minute when a parried shot fell in his way, but he put an open goal shot wide from close range.

Mainz thought they had the lead in the 15th minute as Nadiem Amiri finished off a quick fast-break, but it was overturned by VAR because of an offside before it. Jonathan Burkhard had an effort to score in the 25th minute, which he ended up heading wide. The hosts had another goal ruled out in the 30th minute after Jae-Sung Lee finished off a move from close range, only to be offside. A third Mainz goal was cancelled out in the 32nd minute after Hanche-Olsen was judged to have committed a foul before scoring.

Mainz finally took the lead in the 35th minute, as Paul Nebel was unleashed in the box and powered a deflected shot into the back of the net. Bayer Leverkusen had a penalty call disallowed in the 42nd minute after Nathan Tella went down, but he seemed to have dived. Mainz had one last big chance in the first half as Amiri put a shot wide from close range after being played through on goal stoppage time.

Bayer Leverkusen, however, showed impressive spirit and resolve to roar back into the game in the second half. Patrik Schick was able to win a penalty in the 49th minute, which he converted brilliantly. The visitors then took the lead in the 54th minute with a powerful header from Schick from close range. However, the hosts were not to be denied on the day. They won a penalty in the 62nd minute for themselves, which Jonathan Burkhardt converted in the 63rd minute to make it 2-2!

Florian Wirtz had another shot attempt in the 79th minue, which was saved reasonably easily. Nadiem Amiri had a huge chance late on , driving into the box before shooting just wide in the 88th minute. Captain Stefan Bell thought he had won the game with a super goal in the 93rd minute, only for VAR to chalk it off. Despite that, the draw helps Mainz qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League with a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga as Alonso leaves with a draw. Here is our Mainz vs Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings.

Mainz Player Ratings vs Bayer Leverkusen

GK - Robin Zentner - 5/10

Zentner was totally outwitted for both of Schick's goal. Sent the wrong way for the penalty and unable to do anything about the header. Made a few saves, but his distribution was underwhelming.

RWB - Anthony Caci - 5.5/10

Caci couldn't really contribute much going forawrd, giving the ball away quite often to frustrate his teammates. Troubled by Bayer's movement down his side, losing nine duels and being caught of position quite often

RCB - Danny da Costa - 7/10

The 31-year-old was quite proactive in his side, covering a lot of ground. He popped up in the right positions, winning quite a few key duels and regaining possession six times!

CB - Stefan Bell - 7.5/10

Bell mostly held together a pretty sturdy defensive line, stopping the visitors from creating much in open play. He won a lot of key duels and made some vital clearances, but was booked for an aggressive foul.

LCB - Andreas Hanche-Olsen - 5/10

Hanche-Olsen was unfortunate not to get among the goals, seeing an effort ruled out in the first half. He was defensively fine early on, but made a poor foul leading to the visitors' penalty and lost quite a few duels.

LWB - Philipp Mwene - 7/10

Mwene was quite energetic in moving the ball forward, carrying it really well to help drive his side forward. Created a few nice chances with his smart passes, and worked hard defensively by winning quite a few duels.

CM - Kaishu Sano - 6.5/10

The Japanese midfielder worked hard, winning a lot of key duels in midfield to help move his forward. His passing was a bit sloppy, but he showed nice energy. Totally outmuscled by Schick for his second goal.

CM - Nadiem Amiri - 8.5/10

Amiri missed a big chance early on, but he was the orchastrator of a lot of Mainz's threat going forward. Created three chances, with included a brilliant pass to send Nebel through for his goal. Regained possession many times with his energetic nature and drove his side forward in inspired fashion. Almost capped off a brilliant performance with a goal late on, seeing a shot go wide.

RAM - Paul Nebel - 7.5/10

Nebel was a menacing threat with his forward runs, getting into the right areas and outwitted the defenders quite often. He got into the right position to smash home a shot for his goal. Passed the ball around nicely and created a few nice chances too.

LAM - Jae-Sung Lee - 7/10

Lee carried the ball forward really nicely, winning quite a few duels and holding his own against the visitors. Did a good job in winning a penalty for his side by forcing a challenge inside the box.

CF - Jonathan Burkhardt - 7.5/10

The Mainz captain troubled the defenders with his clever runs and application in the box. Had a few efforts thwarted in the first half, but did a great job with his link-up. Converted his penalty brilliantly.

SUB - Nikolas Veratschnig - 6/10

The midfielder moved the ball along pretty well and with great accuracy. Helped his side defend bettter through the central areas with his positive energy levels.

SUB - Silvan Widmar - 6/10

Helped his side soak all the late pressure from Leverkusen to see out the result.

SUB - Hyun-Seok Hong - N/R

Couldn't really create much in the late stages.

SUB - Leonard Maloney - N/R

Had a quite late cameo.

SUB - Nelson Weiper - N/R

Had a quite late cameo.

Manager - Bo Henriksen - 8/10

The energetic Swedish manager was able to motivate his players to pour all their energy into the game. That resulted in Mainz totally dominating the first half, driving forward with menacing force to torment the visitors. His side fought back well to score the equalizer and played with a lot of heart.

Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings vs Mainz

GK - Lukas Hradecky - 6/10

Hradecky was unfortunate to concede the first goal because of a wicked deflection. He was quite alert in his goal, making a few sharp saves. Moved the ball forward nicely, but couldn't do much for the penalty.

RWB - Nathan Tella - 4/10

Tella had a tough time dealing with Mainz's pace and energy levels on his side, losing more duels than the ones he won. Only completed three passes and attempted a horrible dive to win a penaltyy.

RCB - Edmond Tapsoba - 5.5/10

Tapsoba was a bit rattled by Mainz's speedy forward movement and threat on his side. Made a few nice challenges, but he was caught in some bad areas for Mainz's big chances.

CB - Jonathan Tah - 7.5/10

Tah was definitely Leverkusen's commander in chief in backline and their defensive stalwart in his final game. He covered a lot of ground, making 11 clearances and winning six duels to thwart Mainz's threat. Had a slight deflection for the opener and fortunate not to get sent off late on for a last-man challenge, but rock solid apart from that.

LCB - Piero Hincapie - 5/10

Hincapie's positioning and movement landed him in a lot of trouble in the first half. He was at fault for almost all the goals that were ruled out and outwitted too easily for the opening goal. Won some nice duels, but he left the defence exposed with his shaky positioning and was booked too.

LWB - Alex Grimaldo - N/R

Had a lot of trouble early on in dealing with Mainz's speedy attacking runs through his side. Outwitted quite a few times before being substituted around the 24th minute because of an injury.

CM - Exequiel Palacios - 6.5/10

Palacios had a tough first half, being troubled by Mainz's high press and movement through central areas. He got better in the second half and won quite a few duels to help his side sustain themselves better.

CM - Aleix Garcia - 7/10

Garcia had a few shaky moments defensively, being robbed off the ball for a few counter-attacks. But his forward passes were impressive, as he created some nice chances and produced a perfect cross for Schick's second.

RAM - Jonas Hoffman - 5/10

Hoffman was disciplined and accurate with his passing, having a 100% passing accuracy. However, he really lacked any creativity and was outmuscled by the opposition players.

LAM - Florian Wirtz - 5/10

Wirtz was involved in a few notable moments, having a few powerful shots saved rather well. But he couldn't really control the game that well, failing to create much and being stiffled.

CF - Patrik Schick - 8/10

Schick was almost invisible in the first half, but roared back to life after the break. Did a great job in winning the penalty which he converted. Then scored a powerful header for his brace to finish his Bundesliga campaign with 21 goals!

SUB - Arthur - 4.5/10

Arthur couldn't really prove to be much of an upgrade over Grimaldo. He also struggled in the wide areas, leaving his side exposed in key positions. Conceded the penalty with a clumsy foul inside the box.

SUB - Robert Andrich - 6/10

Andrich brought more control to his side with his clever work. He helped move the ball forward nicely and also helped them be more resolute defensively.

SUB - Amine Adli - 5/10

The 25-year-old couldn't really make that much of an impact. He lost more duels than he won, conceded possession quite often and was unable to create much.

SUB - Emiliano Buendia - N/R

Came on for the last bits of the game. Couldn't really create anything or have any goal threat.

Manager - Xabi Alonso - 7/10

Alonso had a bittersweet final game as Bayer Leverkusen boss. His side were totally outplayed in the first half and were quite lucky not to be 2-0 or 3-0 back. But he motivated them to power back after the break, making a comeback before being called back by a penalty.

Sportsdunia's Man of the Match goes to Nadiem Amiri.