Eintracht Frankfurt beat Mainz 3-1 to secure first Bundesliga win of season

Dominant start and early breakthrough

Eintracht Frankfurt secured their first Bundesliga win of the season on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over FSV Mainz 05 in the Rhein-Main derby. Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 33,305 spectators at the Mainzer Arena, the visitors controlled the opening stages after an early shot from Ritsu Doan struck the inside of the post in the sixth minute. Three minutes later, Jonathan Burkardt received a pass from Doan on the right wing and sent a low cross into the box, allowing Can Uzun to score from close range in the ninth minute.

Frankfurt manager Adi Hütter, who returned to the club in the summer after five years away, adjusted his lineup following the previous week's 4-1 home defeat to FC Augsburg. Hütter brought Jeremiaha Maluze and Noel Aseko into the starting eleven in place of Mario Götze and Younes Ebnatoulib. Mainz recalled first-choice goalkeeper Robin Zentner after a thigh injury, but the home team struggled to match the form from their previous 5-0 win at Hamburger SV.

Penalty stop and Burkardt goal

Mainz created their best scoring chance shortly before half-time when referee Felix Zwayer awarded a penalty for a foul by Raphael Onyedika on Sheraldo Becker in the 43rd minute. Eintracht goalkeeper Noah Atubolu stopped the spot kick taken by Germany international Nadiem Amiri, marking Atubolu's sixth penalty save in the Bundesliga. Frankfurt capitalised on the momentum in first-half stoppage time when Burkardt scored the second goal against his former club, choosing not to celebrate out of respect for the home supporters.

I had a great time here, experienced a lot of appreciation and was extremely supported by Mainz 05. That is why it was already clear to me beforehand.

Second half control and table standing

Uzun extended Frankfurt's lead to 3-0 in the 60th minute with his second goal of the match. Phillip Tietz pulled one back for Mainz in the 89th minute, but the hosts could not mount a comeback. The result marked only the second time in 19 Bundesliga away matches that Frankfurt have won in Mainz, with both victories occurring under Hütter, who previously guided Frankfurt to a 2-0 win there in January 2021.

That was a strong statement from the team after last week's justified criticism and a very important victory for us and our fans.

The victory brings Frankfurt level with Mainz on four points after three league matches, following Frankfurt's 3-3 draw at Union Berlin and 1-4 loss to Augsburg. Mainz head coach Urs Fischer described the defeat as a slap in the face for his side.

National team aspirations

Burkardt's performance unfolded in front of Germany national team head coach Jürgen Klopp, who watched from the stands ahead of selecting his squad for four Nations League matches scheduled for late September and early October. The 26-year-old forward has five senior caps since making his international debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina in October 2024, but missed the summer World Cup following an inconsistent season.

I think I did well today. But the most important thing is that we as Eintracht Frankfurt go in the right direction. Then everything else will come.

Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche noted that the team defended deeper, made fewer errors, and displayed the compactness needed to stabilize their season after early pressure.