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Borussia Dortmund kept the Bundesliga title race alive with an 87th minute win courtesy of unlikely hero Axel Witsel against an impressive Mainz side. Just four points now separate BVB and Bayern Munich.
Mainz – 0
Robin Zenter, 6
Niklas Tauer, 6
Stefan Bell, 5
Moussa Niakhaté, 6
Silvan Widmer, 6
Anton Stach, 7 – Asserted himself well in midfield. Made a couple of good progressive runs and was it not for Emre Can, he could well have had an assist if he released the ball sooner. Won his physical battles in midfield and impressed.
Kevin Stöger, 6
Anderson Lucoqui, 5
Jonathan Burkardt, 5 – The German youth international’s goal drought continues. Highly rated, he failed to test Gregor Kobel in the Borussia Dortmund goal. Can’t fault his work rate, his time will come.
Marcus Ingvartsen, 6
Karim Onisiwo, 5
Borussia Dortmund – 1 (Axel Witsel)
Gregor Kobel, 6
Felix Passlack, 6
Emre Can, 8 – Borussia Dortmund’s most important player in the first 45 minutes. Made an incredible recovery run to deny Anton Stach who was in a 3v2 situation before making a block to deny Jonathan Burkardt. Even more impressive playing out of position and in a makeshift defence due to injuries.
Marin Pongračić, 6
Nico Schulz, 5
Axel Witsel, 6 – Scored the match winner for Borussia Dortmund but other than that, was rather inconspicuous. Played as the No. 6 but lost his duels. Popped up unmarked at the far past to give BVB a 1-0 lead in the 87th minute.
Mahmoud Dahoud, 6
Jude Bellingham, 6
Marius Wolf, 4 – Scored the matchwinner against Arminia Bielefeld last weekend but failed to make an impact against Mainz. Failed to trouble Moussa Niakhaté and was substituted before the hour mark.
Thorgan Hazard, 5
Donyell Malen, 5 – You can’t fault the Dutchman for his work ethic but he can’t play as the focal point in attack. Wants to do too much when in possession ball but often loses it as a result, one of his shots went out for a throw in.
