Mainz vs RB Leipzig: Can Timo Werner finally end his frustrating goal drought?
Although Leipzig are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga fixtures, they have drawn three of them, meaning they have dropped six valuable points. As such, Julian Naglesmann’s men find themselves precariously sandwiched between third-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach and fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who, as luck would have it, go toe-to-toe on Saturday. Should Bayer Leverkusen win that game, they will temporarily overtake die Bullen in the battle for a top-four spot.
Still, that may not be such a bad thing, because if Leipzig then win their game on Sunday, they will then leapfrog Gladbach into third and potentially start putting some pressure on second-placed Dortmund. Of course, Leipzig aren’t exactly really worrying themselves about what their opponents are doing right now. They will be firmly focused on themselves and making sure they don’t slip out of the top three with any more dropped points.
Of concern to Naglesmann certainly will be the goal drought that has struck star striker Werner. Although he’s racked up 21 goals, putting him only behind Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski in terms of output, the young attacker has now gone eight games sans a goal. It’s not that Werner doesn’t look active and bright while he’s on the pitch, it’s just that the goals aren’t coming from him.
This, however, can be explained by a change in position. Werner is a classic center-forward, but he’s been pushed out wide to accommodate Roma’s Patrik Schick. The Czech international, who is on loan from the Giallorossi, has done his fair share for the team’s cause, with seven goals to his name in 16 Bundesliga appearances, but Werner’s output has suffered as a result. Werner also has struggled with injuries on and off as well, which hasn’t helped his cause, but
And arguably, Werner has clearly proven to be the more prolific striker over the years; Schick’s highest total was 13 goals across all comps during the 2015/2016 season at Sampdoria. Meanwhile, since joining Leipzig in 2016, Werner has averaged at least 20 goals per season across all comps on a consistent basis. The two players are also the same age: 24.
Thus, with that in mind, Naglesmann will definitely find a way to ensure his star man gets back into his preferred position – without alienating the player Leipzig brought in on loan as an alternate option.
Meanwhile, opponents Mainz may be sitting in 15th spot, but they will have a little extra spring in their step after last weekend’s result. Die Nullfünfer battled their way back to a point against Köln after going two goals down, and now are three games sans defeat for the first time all season.
While facing Leipzig will seem daunting, Achim Beierlorzer’s men will be up to the task because Mainz also are unbeaten in their last two home games versus die Bullen. They will be desperate for at least a point to continue building a buffer between themselves and 16th-placed Fortuna Düsseldorf, as no one really wants to go into the play-offs against a potentially tricky 2.Bundesliga opponent at the end of the season.
Two teams with vastly different objectives, and a striker keen on ending his frustrating barren run. With the Bundesliga being the first major European league to resume action, this match, featuring RB Leipzig and Mainz, like many others across Germany’s top flight, will certainly be one not to miss this weekend.
