Kehl's team face difficulties as relegation-threatened squads outperform Champions League finalists. - Borussia Dortmund struggles, Cologne stunned!
Dortmund's coach Edin Terzic faced a dismal rotation this time around. The team performed terribly, causing trouble in the relegation battle. BVB player Schlotterbeck, brother to Bochum defender Keven, posted on Instagram after qualifying for the Champions League final (June 1 at Wembley Stadium against Real Madrid), "Did someone say Wembley!!! PS: Don't worry about Bochum on Saturday, we'll give 110%."
However, the pitch didn't reflect this sentiment. Mainz started strong, with Amiri (7th) and Widmer (8th) attempting goals but failing to score against the sturdy Dortmund defense. Barreiro eventually converted from Widmer's pass to take the lead 1:0 (12th).
Dortmund's situation worsened when Meyer, a substitute goalkeeper for Kobel, attempted a goal from a free-kick. However, Lee jumped in to prevent the goal and slammed the ball under the crossbar - 2:0 (19'). Lee scored again, this time with an assist from Barreiro to make it 3:0 (23').
There was no indication of a desire to avenge last season's championship trauma at Dortmund. Mainz was responsible for derailing Dortmund's championship in May 2023 with a 2-2 draw at Signal Iduna Park.
Terzic made changes, bringing on Sancho, Maatsen and Brandt for Malen, Morey, and Öczan after halftime. These substitutions hardly made a difference. Mainz effortlessly claimed victory.
The 05ers will not be relegated directly. A draw in Wolfsburg on matchday 34 is almost certain to keep them out of the relegation zone as Union is two points behind in 16th place and has a much worse goal difference.
Meanwhile, Dortmund had declared they would take the last two league games seriously. However, there was no indication of this - Bochum (14th), Union (16th), and Cologne (17th) will welcome this news. Cologne, in particular, may be astonished because Mainz's win on the final matchday guarantees they can only finish in relegation places.
Interestingly, Dortmund's Champions League final opponents Real Madrid are also doing well. They fielded a B team at Granada and secured a convincing 4:0 win.
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Source: symclub.org
