Mainz had to wait a long time for their first win of the season in their own stadium. The time had finally come against Dortmund – thanks in part to Paul Nebel's debut goal.
November 9th, 5:26 p.m. – Mainz player Paul Nebel fights his way through the fan block to the microphone. The man from his own youth had previously scored his first Bundesliga goal. Everyone in the arena with the 05ers sits down for a brief moment before the victory celebration continues in the stands. “We sing humba humba humba tatärä.” Nebel and Mainz are happy about their first home win of the current season.
Paul Nebel: “Always believe”
Nebel celebrated his first Bundesliga goal with a special gesture: he pointed to his left forearm. In the interview after the game, he revealed: “I promised one person that I would do this celebration. This is my tattoo with a saying that means a lot to me.” The saying: 'Always believe'. The decisive 3-1 meant a lot to him and he hoped that there would be a few more goals, said the 22-year-old after the game.
A lot of patience was needed until the first home success
FSV Mainz 05 has been waiting for this home win for 182 days. Mainz showed their home crowd two draws and three defeats in the Bundesliga, as well as a defeat in the DFB Cup against Bayern Munich. What opponent would be more convenient than Borussia Dortmund, who were only able to get one point away from home in the current Bundesliga season. The troubled team from the Ruhr area, against whom Mainz celebrated their last home three points last season on May 11th.
Lee everywhere in the first half – debut goal from Nebel
Jae-sung Lee caused the first collective outcry in the stadium in the 28th minute of the game. Or more precisely, Emre Can, who brutally fouled Lee. The consequence: red for the BVB captain. Eight minutes later, the South Korean made the Mainz fans cheer in the sold-out arena. With a header to make it 1-0 (36th). Lee felt like he could be found everywhere. Unfortunately from Mainz's point of view, it was also in their own penalty area. After his foul on ex-Stuttgart Serhou Guirassy and his converted penalty, the 1-1 score depressed the mood (40th). But before the break it was Jonny Burkardt who put Mainz back in the lead (45+3). In the 54th minute it was time for the premiere: Paul Nebel's first Bundesliga goal, 3-1, and thus the last goal of the day.
Bo Henriksen: “Everything was really good today”
Crouching down and smiling, FSV coach Bo Henriksen also looked at the celebrating fans after the game. The Dane didn't want to know anything about 'favorite opponent Dortmund' in the subsequent interview, even though things went well for Mainz against the Black and Yellows last season with four points from two games. What was most important to the 49-year-old was that the home team put in a good performance. “We have power, we have faith, we have courage.”
Kiel and Hoffenheim are waiting after the international break
After the international break, Mainz wants to further improve their home record against Hoffenheim (December 1st). Before that, Holstein Kiel (November 24th) awaits the 05ers away.
