Mainz 05 vs Paderborn

Mainz and Paderborn opened the new Bundesliga season with a goalless draw at the MEWA Arena, in a game short on real quality but not without drama. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was when Amiri's free kick found Tietz at the near post, only for his header to crash off the crossbar and stay out. Mainz dominated the numbers, firing 22 shots to 10, but kept finding Noll in inspired form between the posts after the Paderborn coach preferred him over Schubert. At the other end, Robin Zentner was equally solid, claiming the man-of-the-match award for his four saves. Bookings went to Santiago Castañeda (38'), Mattes Hansen (72') and Phillipp Mwene (79'), but there were no red cards or penalties. For Mainz, it's a frustrating opener at home, wasting chances against a well-organised visiting side. For newly promoted Paderborn, a point away from home to start their top-flight return is exactly the platform they wanted.