RB Leipzig can now be described as Robin Zentner's favorite opponent. The FSV Mainz 05 goalkeeper once again outdid himself in the 0-0 draw on Saturday and rescued a point for the relegation-threatened club. Zentner kept a clean sheet against Leipzig for the third game in a row. "I've scored eight here before, so I wouldn't say favorite opponent," said the 29-year-old.
For his teammates, coach Bo Henriksen and even his opponents, however, the 1.95-meter-tall goalkeeper was the guarantor that Leipzig made nothing of his 23 shots on goal and an xG value for expected goals. "He was outstanding," said Henriksen. "Leipzig had an xG of 2.94 and he alone kept 2.7 of them. That's not normal for a goalkeeper. That was fantastic."
Zentner somehow managed to get his hands on Xavi Simons' almost unstoppable shot, while he saved Dani Olmo's header from four meters with a reflex save. "That was probably the hardest one to stop, but in the end it doesn't matter," said Zentner.
Leipzig midfielder Kevin Kampl summed up the frustration that Zentner caused for the Saxons. "It's brutal when the keeper has such a good day and basically gets every ball out," said the 33-year-old. "I mean, there were a few saves in there that were really world-class."
A month ago in Leverkusen, Zentner let a not exactly dangerous shot from Robert Andrich slip over his fists and Mainz lost. A rare blunder by the goalkeeper. "He'll probably be in the eleven of the day for the 15th time this season," said Leipzig coach Marco Rose. And Mainz attacker Jonathan Burkardt saw more than just his captain's saves: "We can thank him, he saved us. But he also helps us as a personality and is totally important in the team."
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