A late goal from substitute Daniel Gunkle enabled Mainz to mark their return to top flight football with a draw against Bayer Leverkusen. Gunkle curled home a free-kick nine minutes from time to pull the hosts level after goals from Eren Derdiyok and Stefan Kiessling had given Leverkusen the edge. Tim Hoogland was also on the scoresheet for Mainz, while Tranquillo Barnetta missed a penalty for the visitors in the first half.

Both clubs had new faces in charge for the season opener. Jupp Heynckes took over the Leverkusen reins from Bruno Labbadia this summer, while Thomas Tuchel was appointed Mainz's coach only this week after Jorn Andersen left the post. And it was Tuchel's side which took the lead thanks to Hoogland, who headed home from close range after six minutes following a precise cross from Andreas Ivanschitz.

Leverkusen had the opportunity to pull level 11 minutes later when goalkeeper Heinz Muller brought down Kiessling in the area. Barnetta stepped up to take the kick, but Muller made amends for his mistake with an agile save.

The visitors eventually restored parity in style three minutes before the interval, when Barnetta provided a cross that Derdiyok volleyed superbly into the roof of the net. Moments later Mainz found themselves trailing again thanks to Barnetta.

This time the midfielder played a short pass to Kiessling, who steered the ball into the net. Barnetta nearly got himself on the scoresheet after 76 minutes, but could only aim his effort at Muller from the centre of the penalty area.

And Mainz took full advantage five minutes later when Gunkle smashed his free-kick into the top left corner to secure a point for the home side.