Mainz 2-2 Gladbach
(Geis 72', Okazaki 77' - Raffael 27', 68')

The cup win against Kickers Offenbach during the week was an arduous one for Lucien Favre's team, so it was no surprise to see the first half against Mainz end without much incident (as is customary in most late games on a Saturday in the Bundesliga). Raffael did however take advantage of some absent marking to head in the opener, although had it not been for the bar then Shinji Okazaki's header might have seen the scores level at the break.

The second half was perhaps the best of the matchday. The arrival of Dortmund loanee Jonas Hofmann helped Mainz push forward, but Gladbach continued to threaten on the break. It was the visitors who converted first - Max Kruse dummying beautifully for Raffael to stroke home what looked like a game-ending second.

With the game heading into the final twenty minutes, Johannes Geis gave his side a chance, firing a low free kick - which shouldn't have been given - past the outstretched hands of Yann Sommer. Before Mainz's equalizer five minutes later, Gladbach had the chance to restore their two-goal lead after a superb pass from Patrick Herrmann sent through Max Kruse, but the German striker could only hit the post.

With the game in full flow, Mainz then got their equalizer. A throw-in from Daniel Brosinski was eventually flicked on for Okazaki to head home from close range - ending a goal drought of 680 minutes for the Japanese striker. Mainz's leading scorer nearly won it late on, but Sommer saved well to make sure that Gladbach rescued at least a point.