Scoreless at the Bruchweg: Wagner Secures a Point for Viktoria

Defensive commitment, plenty of resilience and an intense away performance: On Matchday 16 of the 2. Women’s Bundesliga, FC Viktoria Berlin earn a 0–0 draw away at 1. FSV Mainz 05. In a match marked by long spells of pressure from the hosts, Viktoria were unable to claim victory, but the point is nevertheless a valuable one given the course of the game.

Promising phases, but lacking the final touch

Viktoria started the match at the Bruchwegstadion alert and well organised overall. The team defended Mainz’s early attacking efforts with focus before growing into the game themselves between the 10th and 30th minute.

Leyila Aydin produced the first shot of the match with a strong dribble, though it did not pose a serious threat, while Sarah Stöckmann also tested her luck with an effort from distance. During this phase, Viktoria combined well into the final third on several occasions, but too often lacked a target in the centre to finish the moves.

Towards the end of the first half, Viktoria slightly lost control of the game. Mainz increased the pressure and created the more dangerous chances. Shortly before the break, the Berlin side had to hold their breath following efforts from Anstatt and Vital Katz – the goalless scoreline at half-time did not entirely reflect the flow of the game.

Mainz take charge after the break

After the restart, the hosts repeatedly took control of proceedings. Mainz dominated possession and tempo, at times pinning Viktoria deep inside their own half, but without creating an overwhelming number of clear-cut chances.

Viktoria responded with plenty of running, physical duels and collective defensive organisation. Time and again, Berlin managed to block shots or defuse attacks in the final line of defence. Melanie Wagner was also called into action on several occasions, keeping Viktoria in the match with important saves.

Going forward, Viktoria continued to pose a threat at times. Substitutions in the second half – including Ehegötz for Grincenco and Ugochukwu for Klotz – were intended to provide fresh attacking impetus. A blocked effort from Ugochukwu and a counter-attack that was finished too imprecisely late on were among Viktoria’s few offensive moments overall.

Key moment late on

The decisive moment of the match came in the 82nd minute: a handball penalty for Mainz 05. Viktoria, however, remained without conceding – Melanie Wagner saved the spot kick taken by Jana Löber, preserving the draw and denying the hosts a late winner.

After the final whistle, Mainz player Kara Bathmann was shown a yellow-red card.

Conclusion

Viktoria delivered a focused and hard-fought away performance and did not lose their structure even during difficult phases. While the final attacking sharpness was missing, the team defended as a unit with great commitment. The 0–0 draw results in a drop from fifth to sixth place in the table, but given the course of the match, it is a hard-earned and valuable point.

---

Starting XI:

Wagner, Klotz (65. Ugochukwu), Sahlmann, Metzker, Urbanek, Krist, Stöckmann, Höfker, Ehegötz (65. Grincenco), Aydin (57. Yavuz), Casanovas