Mainz do the double over Borussia Monchengladbach

Updated: May 17, 2023, 01:05 am
Christian Clemens, centre, scored to give Mainz the victory on Friday.
AP Photo/Michael Probst

Mainz moved into the top six of the Bundesliga by completing the double over Borussia Monchengladbach with a 1-0 win.

A determined run by Jairo Samperio, in which he held off the challenge of four Gladbach defenders, led to Christian Clemens receiving the ball 20 yards from goal, and his curling effort found its way past Yann Sommer for the winner in the 21st minute.

Lars Stindl and Raffael were both denied in quick succession by some desperate defending after Oscar Wendt pulled in a cross from the left midway through the second half, but Mainz's goal was not going to be breached.

A wasteful Gladbach side were fortunate not to concede another goal from Clemens late on, with Mainz nevertheless good value for their win.

The result means Gladbach have lost back-to-back games in 2016, and they could also lose fourth spot to either Bayer Leverkusen or Schalke on Saturday, or Wolfsburg on Sunday.