Bundesliga: Werder Bremen held to goalless home draw by Mainz

Werder Bremen missed an opportunity to put some pressure on the top six in the Bundesliga as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Mainz on Saturday.

There were chances at both ends in an open encounter at the Weserstadion, but neither could find a route to goal with the point a fair reflection.

Mainz will be happier with the draw as the point reinforces their advantage over the relegation zone, particularly with most teams below them losing on Saturday.

Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik bravely named Davie Selke in his starting XI, only days after the announcement of his transfer to RB Leipzig in the summer had caused uproar among Werder fans.

Selke's every touch was greeted by boos from a handful of fans - but their reaction was not as bad as many had feared.

Nevertheless, the 20-year-old was unable to make an impact on the game and was taken off after an hour of anonymity, leaving him potentially just seven more appearances in a Bremen shirt.

With Selke struggling, Bremen's attack lacked sharpness and it was midfielders Fin Bartels and Levent Aycicek creating - but not taking - the best chances.

For the visitors, Johannes Geis was the biggest threat with his usual set-piece brilliance keeping Raphael Wolf on his toes.

Yunus Malli twice went close for Mainz in the first half, but there was no way through as the goalkeepers came out on top with clean sheets meaning a point each from an entertaining goalless draw.