Mainz 0-2 Borussia Dortmund: Shinji Kagawa scores late to ensure first win for new manager Peter Stoger as visitors end nine-game winless streak
- Borussia Dortmund earned their first victory in nine games on Tuesday at Mainz
- Peter Stoger was taking charge of his first game as the new Dortmund manager
- Sokratis Papastathopoulos fired the visitors into the lead in the second half
- Shinji Kagawa made sure of the victory for the Bundesliga giants on 89 minutes
Borussia Dortmund finally ended their winless streak in the Bundesliga by beating Mainz 2-0 in Peter Stoger's first game in charge on Tuesday.
Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos broke the deadlock in the 55th minute and Shinji Kagawa sealed the win in the 89th as Dortmund missed a host of chances early on.
It was Dortmund's first league win at the ninth attempt since September, and only their second in 14 games across all competitions.
Shinji Kagawa scored late to ensure Borussia Dortmund ended their nine-game winless streak
Defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half
It was all smiles from Peter Stoger at the final whistle as the result secured a winning start
The side's slump led to the sacking of Peter Bosz on Sunday, when Stoger took over.
Stoger was sacked by Cologne the week before after his side failed to win in 13 Bundesliga games, but the Austrian coach is respected for leading Cologne to promotion in 2014 and overseeing steady progress in each of the following seasons - up to this one.
'I admit, after a long time in red and white, the new colour (yellow and black) is a bit unusual. I don't need the black for my figure, but it suits me quite well,' said Stoger.
Robin Zentner made a great save to deny Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang endured a frustrating night in front of goal and failed to get on the scoresheet
'It's been a while,' he added. However, Dortmund's uncertainty from their barren spell was clear to see in Mainz.
Suat Serdar rattled the crossbar early on for the home side, and blazed over minutes later, then Abdou Diallo was next to head over.
The home side was aggressive, first to every ball, winning challenges, and Dortmund struggled to create many scoring opportunities.
Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud jumps in the air to pass the ball first time
Robin Quaison competed for the ball in the air with Dortmund defender Jeremy Toljan
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should have scored at the end of the first half after a simple ball over the top, but the Gabon striker fired wide when he had only the goalkeeper to beat.
Raphael Guerreiro then drew a good save from Robin Zentner.
Ten defenders made it hard for Dortmund to break through in the second half, but a foul on Christian Pulisic provided the breakthrough. Omer Toprak deflected Kagawa's free kick onto the post and Sokratis hammered in the rebound.
Dortmund wasted numerous good chances as Mainz tired, but Aubameyang finally set up Kagawa to seal the three points.
At the end of the match the Dortmund players went over to applaud their travelling supporters
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