CASPER
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BERLIN (AFP) – Both Bundesliga leaders Mainz and closest rivals Borussia Dortmund will be looking to get over German Cup disappointments on Sunday when they clash in the German league with top spot up for grabs.
Mainz suffered only their second defeat of the season on Wednesday when they were shocked 2-1 at second division Alemannia Aachen in the German Cup second round, while Dortmund lost 4-2 on penalties at third-tier Kickers Offenbach.
"We will learn the lessons from the defeat at Aachen and make things better at Dortmund on Sunday," vowed Mainz manager Christian Heidel.
Both sides have begun the season with a hiss and a roar and their young rising stars have played some eye-catching football.
Mainz pair Lewis Holtby and Andre Shuerrle have both played themselves onto the verge of the full Germany squad.
Likewise, Paraguayan international striker Lucas Barrios, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Germany's Kevin Grosskreutz have hit 11 goals for Dortmund.
With a two-point lead, Mainz can open up a five-point gap at the top of the table if they can beat Juergen Klopp's young guns.
Mainz suffered only their second defeat of the season on Wednesday when they were shocked 2-1 at second division Alemannia Aachen in the German Cup second round, while Dortmund lost 4-2 on penalties at third-tier Kickers Offenbach.
"We will learn the lessons from the defeat at Aachen and make things better at Dortmund on Sunday," vowed Mainz manager Christian Heidel.
Both sides have begun the season with a hiss and a roar and their young rising stars have played some eye-catching football.
Mainz pair Lewis Holtby and Andre Shuerrle have both played themselves onto the verge of the full Germany squad.
Likewise, Paraguayan international striker Lucas Barrios, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Germany's Kevin Grosskreutz have hit 11 goals for Dortmund.
With a two-point lead, Mainz can open up a five-point gap at the top of the table if they can beat Juergen Klopp's young guns.