Mainz 05 have a rich history and tradition, but they aren’t considered one of Bundesliga big guns. Especially not when pitted against RB Leipzig, one of the country’s richest clubs. But they came out swinging in their first fixture of the season, beating the much-fancied opponents’ thanks to a sole early strike from Moussa Niakhate.In an action-packed first half, Jurgen Klopp’s old club were better. Niakhate struck for the hosts after a bad mistake by Nordi Mukiele. Leipzig had good opportunities thanks to Angelino and Christopher Nkunku, but they couldn’t get back into the game.WHAT A WIN!!!!!#Mainz05 #M05RBL pic.twitter.com/wxEuUVlTdu— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) August 15, 2021 The Bulls did take control of the ball as the match wore on, but Mainz deserve all the credit for putting their bodies on the line and defending with everything they’ve got.It was a remarkable display from Mainz whose preparations were disrupted by having 11 players quarantined as striker Karim Onisiwo was one of three squad members to test positive for Covid-19. Mainz boss Bo Svensson had to reshuffle his starting team, but his side turned in a determined display in sweltering temperatures.It was a bad day at work for American coach Jesse Marsch in his first Bundesliga game. After winning back-to-back Austrian league and cup titles with Red Bull Salzburg, Marsch moved to their sister club RB Leipzig this season to replace Julian Nagelsmann, who is now at Bayern Munich. However, the German championship is much more competitive than the Austrian league. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RB Leipzig (@dierotenbullen) Much is expected this season of last season’s runners-up Leipzig, but it turned into a frustrating afternoon for their attackers. Swedish playmaker Emil Forsberg couldn’t not engineer a chance to get one over the hosts’ defence. Leipzig’s new striker Andre Silva, signed for $27 million from Eintracht Frankfurt, was repeatedly denied by Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner.Bayern Munich and German legend Gerd Muller dies at the age of 75Mainz thought they had doubled their lead late on when defender Alexander Hack smashed home a shot from a corner, but replays showed the ball had previously gone dead behind the Leipzig goal.BUNDESLIGA – Round 1FridayBorussia Monchengladbach – Bayern 1-1 (1-1)/Plea 10 – Lewandowski 42/SaturdayAugsburg – Hoffenheim 0-4 (0-1)/Arsen 37, Adamyan 78, Rutter 87, Rudy 90/Bielefeld – Freiburg 0-0Stuttgart – Greuther Furth 5-1 (2-0)/Endo 30, Klement 36, Kempf 55, 76, Ghaddioui 61 – Leweling 90)Union Berlin – Leverkusen 1-1 (1-1)/Awoniyi 7 – Diaby 12/Wolfsburg – Bochum 1-0 (1-0)/Weghorst 22/Dortmund – Eintr.Frankfurt 5-2 (3-1)/Reus 23, Hazard 32, Haaland 34, 70, Reyna 58 – Passlach (og) 27, Hauge 86/SundayMainz – RB Leipzig 1-0 (1-0)/Niakhate 13/18.30: Koln – Hertha
