Mainz knocked out of UEFA Conference League by Strasbourg

Mainz's European adventure was ended in France as Strasbourg overturned a two-goal aggregate deficit, winning 4-0 in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final tie to knock the 05ers out of the competition.

Strasbourg 4-0 Mainz (agg: 4-2)
Goals: 1-0 Nanasi 26’ (assist: Chilwell), 2-0 Ouattara 35’ (assist: Enciso), 3-0 Enciso 69’ (assist: Godo), 4-0 Emegha 74’ (assist: Enciso)

Heading west across the border with a two-goal aggregate advantage, Mainz found themselves under immediate pressure in Strasbourg.

There were early warning signs in the first half for the 05ers, but it was Sebastian Nanasi who ultimately broke the deadlock for the French side, stroking home from close range following a Ben Chilwell cross.

Abdoul Ouattara then headed in his side's second not 10 minutes later to wipe out Mainz’s first-leg aggregate lead.

After the restart, Dominik Kohr brought down Valentin Barco in the box, resulting in a penalty for the hosts, which Emmanuel Emegha stepped up to take, only to be denied by an on-song Daniel Batz. 

The custodian would be beaten minutes later, however, when Martial Godo danced past Stefan Posch down the right, before teeing up Julio Enciso for a finish into an open net.

Things would then go from bad to worse for the 05ers, as Enciso turned provider for Emegha, who made amends for his missed penalty with a composed header to complete the comeback for Strasbourg and knock Mainz out of the competition.

As it happened!

4 - 0

(2 - 0)

Strasbourg

FINAL

Mainz

Conference League
Quarter-finals, second leg Quarter-finals, second leg Stade de la Meinau, Strasbourg

Full-time: Strasbourg 4-0 Mainz (agg: 4-2)

Mainz's remarkable Conference League journey comes to an end in Strasbourg. The French side proved too much for Urs Fischer's men to handle, building on their two-goal first-half lead with another two goals from Enciso and Emegha respectively. Mainz keeper Batz produced some spectacular saves between the sticks to keep his side in contention, but it wasn't enough for the 05ers on the night.

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

90'

+ 5

Red card

Nadiem Amiri

Full-time

90'

+ 4

Tempers flare

There are some afters following a challenge on Penders by Veratschnig, resulting in two Mainz players seeing yellow cards.

90'

+ 4

Yellow card

Armindo Sieb

90'

+ 4

Yellow card

Nikolas Veratschnig

90'

+ 3

Well hit

Amiri strikes with his left from the edge of the box. It's a powerful looping effort, but it's well held by Penders.

90'

+ 2

In by Amiri

The midfielder fires a free-kick into the box from the left half-space, but Penders is there to punch it clear from his near post.

90'

Stoppage time

Five additional minutes have been indicated. It's last-chance saloon for Mainz now...

90'

No penalty

The VAR has checked and cleared the incident. Play resumes.

89'

VAR check

A corner comes in from the right for Mainz. It falls to Caci, who strikes from inside the box, but his effort is blocked by Barco. There is a check underway for a potential penalty for handball, though...

Standing ovation

Enciso leaves the field to rapturous applause after providing two assists and a goal for his side.

© SEBASTIEN BOZON

88'

Substitution

Maximillian Oyedele

Julio Enciso

82'

Final roll of the dice

Urs Fischer makes his final changes with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining, introducing William Bøving and Nikolas Veratschnig. Can the substitutes help the 05ers produce a miracle here?

81'

Substitution

Nikolas Veratschnig

Phillipp Mwene

81'

Substitution

William Bøving

Dominik Kohr

78'

Double change

Gary O'Neil makes a double alteration to try and consolidate his side's advantage as the game enters it's final phase.

77'

Substitution

Gessime Yassine

Abdoul Ouattara

77'

Substitution

Lucas Høgsberg

Ben Chilwell

74'

Emegha makes it four!

Strasbourg are running riot here. It's another sublime delivery from Julio Enciso, who cuts in off the left before curling it perfectly in for Emegha to nod home at the far post. It's a long way back for Mainz now.

74'

Emmanuel Emegha

GOAL!

4:0

72'

Double change

Urs Fischer makes a double alteration with less than 20 minutes on the clock to rescue this tie: Sieb and former Strasbourg man Caci replace Kawasaki and Widmer.

72'

Substitution

Armindo Sieb

Sota Kawasaki

72'

Substitution

Anthony Caci

Silvan Widmer

Enciso fires Strasbourg ahead in the tie!

Credit to Strasbourg, who were not disheartened after their penalty was saved and now find themselves ahead in this quarter-final tie! Godo does excellently down the right flank to shimmy away from Posch and Da Costa before squaring it to Enciso, who needs only tap the ball home into an empty net to make it 3-0 to the French side.

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

69'

Julio Enciso

GOAL!

3:0

Batz saves!

Mainz's keeper is the hero again! Emegha steps up to take the penalty and tries to coolly stroke the ball home into the bottom right corner, but Batz had other ideas as he dove to his left to make the stop. What drama here in Strasbourg!

© IMAGO/Paul Fritz

66'

Penalty missed!

65'

The referee points to the spot!

Posch tries to drive out of the heart of defence with the ball. He is outmuscled and dispossessed by Emegha, who takes his time before picking out Barco at the far post. The youngster stands Kohr up before being brought down in the box. The referee doesn't hesitate to blow his whistle, and, after a VAR review, the spot-kick is confirmed.

62'

Penders off his line

Mainz string together a slick counter-attack before a ball over the top is sent in behind for Kawasaki to chase. Before the midfielder could get there, however, the Strasbourg keeper had come out of his box to clear the danger.

60'

Barco down

The midfielder took a long time getting back to his feet following a challenge from Kawasaki. He has left the field for further treatment but seems determined to continue.

The goalscorer departs

Nanasi, who scored Strasbourg's first this evening, has been replaced by Emegha.

© SEBASTIEN BOZON

58'

Substitution

Emmanuel Emegha

Sebastian Nanasi

55'

Body on the line

Mainz have been enjoying more sustained possession inside Strasbourg's half so far since the restart. Widmer's cross from the right is deflected into the path of Nebel on the edge of the box. The No.8 tries to strike, but at the last minute, Barco comes across to block it behind for a corner. Mainz don't make anything of the set-piece, though.

53'

Speculative

Space opens up around 35 yards from goal for Posch to shoot. However, the centre-back's effort is well off target.

49'

El Mourabet cautioned

The midfielder is the latest Strasbourg player to have their name taken by the referee. This time, it's for a shirt pull on Sano.

49'

Yellow card

Samir El Mourabet

46'

Back underway!

The ball is back rolling for the final 45 minutes of normal time in this tie, with the hosts kicking off. Urs Fischer is the only manager to make changes at the break, introducing top scorer Amiri for Weiper. The Swiss coach will be hoping his No.10 can help provide more purchase inside the Strasbourg half.

46'

Substitution

Nadiem Amiri

Nelson Weiper

Kick-off!

Half-time: Strasbourg 2-0 Mainz (agg: 2-2)

At the break, it's Mainz's French hosts who lead on the night. It's been one-way traffic so far here, with Strasbourg causing real problems for Urs Fischer's men. The opening 45 has been played at a frantic pace, but it has been Nanasi and Ouattara who have found the back of the net to level the tie for Strasbourg. Mainz will need to find another gear in the second half here if they're to advance to the Conference League's final four.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Blocked by Posch

Strasbourg have two chances up the left flank. The first - a cross - is deflected back to Godo, who, from a tight angle, tries to squeeze the ball home at the near post, but Posch is there to prevent a Strasbourg third.

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

A minimum of two additional minutes have been indicated.

45'

Nanasi booked

The scorer of Strasbourg's first sees yellow for impeding Sano.

45'

Yellow card

Sebastian Nanasi

41'

Batz comes up trumps

Suddenly, the play opens up and Enciso finds himself in a one-on-one with Mainz goalkeeper Batz. Nevertheless, despite the Strasbourg onslaught, the 05ers' custodian gets down excellently to make the stop, which keeps his side level on aggregate. Mainz are hanging on for half-time here...

39'

Scissor kick!

Strasbourg have their tails up here. A cross from the left is half-cleared by the head of Kohr, but Mainz's No.31 can knock it as far as Ouattara on the edge of the box, who improvises excellently to strike first time on the volley. The connection is a good one, but it flies just wide of the mark.

36'

Barco booked

The youngster sees yellow during the celebrations of his side's second.

36'

Yellow card

Valentin Barco

Ouattara levels the tie for Strasbourg!

And just like that, Mainz's first-leg aggregate lead has evaporated. The opening goalscorer, Nanasi, sends Enciso through to the byline down the right. The forward digs out a cross into the six-yard box, where Ouattara was arriving late. Nobody had tracked his run, allowing him to guide a header past Batz from close range.

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

35'

Abdoul Ouattara

GOAL!

2:0

31'

Weiper isolated

Chilwell delivers a cross into the Mainz box, where three of his teammates are waiting. The 05ers manage to clear, with Sano firing a ball up the right flank for Weiper to chase. However - as has often happened this first half - the young forward finds himself with little support and is forced into turning over possession by three Strasbourg defenders.

Nanasi breaks the deadlock!

You can't say it hasn't been coming. Enciso plays Chilwell through to the byline high up on the left flank. The Englishman cuts it back into the path of Nanasi, who strokes home with a low finish from the edge of the six-yard box. That goal certainly lifted the home crowd here - how will Mainz respond?

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

26'

Sebastian Nanasi

GOAL!

1:0

What a stop!

A deep cross from the left finds Moreira at the far post, who improvises acrobatically to get his shot away. He steers it towards the bottom left corner, but Batz is there to make a stunning save!

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

21'

Floated in

Enciso takes the resultant free-kick, but his delicate ball into the box is well dealt with by Mainz.

Kohr booked

The defender is cautioned for an off-the-ball collision with Moreira, which prevents the Strasbourg No.7 from participating in a counter-attack with for his side.

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

19'

Yellow card

Dominik Kohr

No shot

A looping header back into the Strasbourg box from Sano is brought down superbly by Tietz. However, a Strasbourg defender throws himself in front of the ball before the forward can get his shot away from six yards.

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner

15'

Overhit

Moreira cuts back from high up on the right. He lays the ball of for Barco, who tries to whip a cross from the half-space towards the far post, but his pass finds no takers and goes behind for a goal-kick.

14'

Doukouré down

Worrying sight for Strasbourg: the hosts' captain has gone down and stayed on the turf away from the ball. However, he has received treatment, and is set to continue for now.

11'

Cross claimed

Weiper bursts through down the right channel. He picks his head up, spots the run of Tietz in the middle, and tries to pick him out with a cross, but Penders is quick off his line to gather the cross.

Tentative start

So far, neither side have been willing to commit men forward for fear of being hurt on the counter. As such, there have been no clear-cut chances inside the opening 10 minutes. That will suit Urs Fischer and Mainz, though...

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

7'

Almost!

From a Mainz counter-attack, Nebel tries to deliver a cross from the left. It takes a huge deflection and nearly creeps into the Strasbourg net at the near post. Penders was off his line there, but it ultimately rolls behind for the first corner of the match. Nebel takes, but this time, it's a comfortable catch for the Belgian custodian.

6'

Well over

Mainz struggle to clear from the edge of their own area. Moreira picks up the ball and tries to round two Mainz defenders with a deft flick. It takes a deflection, falling to teammate Ouattara, who puts his laces through the shot, but fires well over the bar.

4'

No way through

Mwene whips an early cross in from the left. Omobamidele heads it clear of the box but Mainz retrieve the loose ball at the far touchline. Kawasaki then dances his way into the box but his cutback is intercepted before it can pose real danger for the hosts.

1'

And we're off!

Paul Nebel gets the ball rolling for Mainz in this crucial second leg encounter away to Strasbourg.

Kick-off!

Warm-ups underway

The 05ers are being put through their paces with just under half an hour left until kick-off.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

More on that Strasbourg side

Meanwhile, Gary O'Neil makes three changes to the starting line-up he fielded for last weeks' first leg. Diego Moreira (pictured) is deemed fit enough to start. He is joined by Ouattara and Nanasi. Doué, Oyedele and Yassine make way, with the former not selected tonight, and the latter two dropping to the bench.

© IMAGO/Benedict Christ

More on that Mainz side

Somewhat unsurprisingly, Urs Fischer names an unchanged side from last week's 2-0 victory in the first leg. There is good news on the bench, however, with captain and top scorer Nadiem Amiri, as well as former Strasbourg man Anthony Caci both named among the substitutes. The pair made their respective returns to Bundesliga action from off the bench at the weekend after suffering long-term injuries, so expect to see them both in action this evening.

© IMAGO/Stephan Hahne

Strasbourg starting XI

Penders – Doukouré (c), Omobamidele, Chilwell, Moreira – Barco, El Mourabet, Ouattara – Nanasi – Enciso, Godo

Strasbourg subs

Johnsson, Kerckaert, Oyedele, Emegha, Fofana, Amougou, Høgsberg, Amo-Ameyaw, Bosey, Becker, Yassine, Luis

Mainz starting XI

Batz – Da Costa, Posch, Kohr – Widmer (c), Nebel, Sano, Kawasaki, Mwene – Tietz, Weiper

Mainz subs

Rieß, Zentner, Amiri, Sieb, Bøving, Maloney, Bell, Caci, Veratschnig, Hanche-Olsen, Gleiber, Potulski

Gary O'Neil on facing Mainz

"We know we have goals in the team, so hopefully we can take the game all the way to the end and still have a chance."

© IMAGO/FEP

Dominik Kohr on European nights

"I am really looking forward to it, it is something very special. You don't experience this very often with Mainz - it is the first time I have been on the pitch in a quarter-final. I have already had the experience of playing here in Strasbourg with Danny [da Costa] at another club. So I know what to expect. I will fire the lads up so we can approach the game well and celebrate advancing at the end."

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

Urs Fischer on facing Strasbourg

"It is going to be a really intense match in my opinion. We have to be cool and brave. If we are not prepared to give our players a way out with the ball, it will be difficult because Strasbourg are a strong team technically. If you look at their possession, you could see that in the first leg. We have to be courageous and have confidence in ourselves when we have the ball, create chances, and try to score a goal instead of just defending."

© IMAGO/Martin Hoffmann

Early Strasbourg team news

As in the first leg, the Ligue 1 outfit are without midfielder Junior Mwanga and striker Joaquín Panichelli, who are still all carrying long-term injury issues. Question marks had been hanging over wide man Diego Moreira (pictured) ahead of the first leg, but the Belgian featured off the bench in the second half of the first leg at the MEWA Arena and may well be in line for a place in the starting line-up on Thursday.

© KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

Milestone for Caci

After 204 days on the sidelines working back from a hamstring issue, Caci's substitute appearance against Freiburg marked the Frenchman's 100th in the Bundesliga since joining the 05ers from Strasbourg back in Summer 2022.

© Alex Grimm

Early Mainz team news

Nadiem Amiri (pictured) and Anthony Caci made their returns from injury in the weekend's defeat at home to Freiburg, coming on midway through the second half to make cameos off the bench. Both are expected to be available for selection from the start on Thursday. However, question marks still linger over Jae-sung Lee and Maxim Leitsch, who were absent at the weekend whilst they work back from respective foot and thigh injuries. They join Silas Katompa Mvumpa and Benedict Hollerbach on Mainz's list of current absentees.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

Fortress Strasbourg

Despite Mainz's dominance in the first leg, the job is far from over for Urs Fischer's men. After all, their French opponents have not lost a European home game since the turn of the millennium, and have never conceded at home to Bundesliga opponents in two games, winning one and drawing the other.

© KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV

Last four in sight?

The first German club to reach the last eight of the UEFA Conference League, Mainz are hoping to go one better and progress to their first-ever European semi-final. They have lost only one of their last ten UEFA matches - against Universitatea Craiova in the league phase.

© IMAGO/Matthias Koch

Full focus on second leg

Strasbourg did not have a Ligue 1 game this weekend. Gary O'Neil's team return to domestic action against Rennes on Sunday 19 April.

© IMAGO/elyxandro cegarra

Impenetrable Mainz

Urs Fischer's team not only extended their unbeaten Conference League run to five matches with that 2-0 first-leg win, they also secured a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the competition. Another shut-out this Thursday would confirm their place in the last four.

© IMAGO/HMB Media/Claus

First setback

League phase winners Strasbourg boasted an unbeaten record in the 2025/26 Conference League prior to last week's defeat at the MEWA Arena. The Ligue 1 outfit have emerged victorious in six of their last eight two‑legged UEFA ties but have lost their last two against German clubs (against Duisburg in 1978/79 and Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019/20).

© IMAGO/Joaquim Ferreira

0:58

Watch: Mainz 0-1 Freiburg - highlights

Mainz fell to a narrow defeat against Freiburg on Matchday 29 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga game ahead of this encounter.

Mainz in strong position

The 05ers took control of the tie thanks to their 2-0 win at the MEWA Arena in the first leg, with Kaishū Sano and Stefan Posch putting Urs Fischer's men two to the good inside the opening 20 minutes.

© Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Welcome!

Follow all of the action as Mainz travel to Strasbourg for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final tie.

First-leg report

Mainz 2-0 Strasbourg
Goals: 1-0 Sano 11’ (assist: Kawasaki), 2-0 Posch 19’ (assist: Nebel)

Despite the gravity of the occasion, Mainz were not lacking in confidence for their maiden European quarter-final outing, carrying with them momentum in the form of four consecutive victories in all competitions.

Such confidence presented itself early on when Kaishu Sano won the ball back in his own half, before playing a one-two with Sota Kawasaki. The tireless Japanese midfielder then cut inside and curled a stunning strike into the top-right corner, the ball glancing off the post on its way in.

Not satisfied with a one-goal margin, Mainz doubled their lead minutes later when Stefan Posch volleyed home sweetly from an outswinging Paul Nebel corner.

Strasbourg did threaten to reduce arrears after the restart, coming closest when Valentin Barco danced past three defenders before crashing an effort off the woodwork.

However, Urs Fischer's side managed to shut them out, preserving what could be a huge two-goal aggregate lead for the second leg in France on 16 April.

As it happened!

2 - 0

(2 - 0)

Mainz

FINAL

Strasbourg

Conference League
Quarter-finals, first leg Quarter-finals, first leg MEWA Arena

Full-time: Mainz 2-0 Strasbourg

Mainz held onto their first-half lead to claim a huge victory at the MEWA Arena in their first ever European quarter-final. The 05ers sat off somewhat compared to their first half pressing, instead favouring the counter, which nearly bore fruit for Phillip Tietz and Armindo Sieb on multiple occasions. Strasbourg came close to reducing the deficit midway through the half, but Barco's effort crashed off the woodwork, allowing Batz to preserve his clean sheet. Tempers flared after the final whistle, resulting in bookings for Sieb and Moreira, with the tie in Mainz's hands ahead of next week's return leg.

© IMAGO/VITALII KLIUIEV

90'

+ 5

Yellow card

Diego Moreira

90'

+ 5

Yellow card

Armindo Sieb

Full-time

90'

Stoppage time

Four additional minutes have been indicated.

Nebel's night over

The creative midfielder's night draws to a close after delivering a superb performance for his side. He is replaced by Maloney in the game's dying embers.

© IMAGO/Fotostand / Racocha

89'

Substitution

Lennard Maloney

Paul Nebel

88'

A whisker away

So close to a third for Mainz! Sano beats two defenders on the edge of the Strasbourg penalty area before passing it back to Sieb. The Bayern loanee then drills a low cross in first time, which Tietz can't quite manage to get on the end of.

86'

Can't get the shot away

A deflection inside Strasbourg's box falls kindly for Sieb, but the young forward can't get his shot away before Omobamidele comes across to deny him the shot.

85'

Substitution

Sebastian Nanasi

Martial Godo

Widmer takes his leave

Mainz's captain is the next player to leave the field, exiting to rapturous applause from the home fans, who welcome young defender Potulski in his stead.

© IMAGO/Harald Bremes

80'

Substitution

Kacper Potulski

Silvan Widmer

78'

How did that stay out?!

Kohr's header from inside the Strasbourg penalty area is saved well by Penders, but only into the path of Sieb, who can't quite squeeze it home into an open net from a very tight angle.

74'

Crossbar!

What a huge chance for Strasbourg! Barco picks the ball up on the edge of the Mainz area. He dances past three defenders before smashing an effort off the crossbar from a tight angle. The rebound falls to Moreira, whose first-time volleyed effort is parried well by Batz.

Triple change

It's Urs Fischer's turn to make alterations, and he opts for a triple substitution. It's the end of the night for Kawasaki, Weiper (pictured) and Mwene, who are replaced by Bøving, Sieb, and Veratschnig.

© IMAGO/Stephan Hahne

69'

Substitution

William Bøving

Sota Kawasaki

69'

Substitution

Armindo Sieb

Nelson Weiper

69'

Substitution

Nikolas Veratschnig

Phillipp Mwene

68'

Cleared by Posch

Godo is slipped in behind the backline down the left flank. He tries to pick out Enciso with a teasing ball towards the far corner, but Posch is there to intervene, clearing behind for a corner.

65'

First changes

It's the visitors who opt to make the first substitutions this evening - and it's a double. Oyedele and Yassine are withdrawn, making way for Emegha and Moreira. Can the substitutes help the French outfit find a way back into this one?

64'

Substitution

Diego Moreira

Maximillian Oyedele

64'

Substitution

Emmanuel Emegha

Gessime Yassine

60'

Well wide

After a spell of prolonged Strasbourg possession, Doué lines up a shot from the right half space, but his low, driven effort flies wide of the left post.

57'

Big chance for Enciso!

Strasbourg have been knocking the ball around more confidently in the last five minutes. Most recently, Yassine slipped a ball in behind for Enciso, who can't beat Batz in a one-on-one - the Mainz keeper getting down well to his left to make the save.

53'

Penders denies Tietz

Kohr steps out of defence to win the ball back and launch a counter-attack for his side. He finds Tietz on the left side of the Strasbourg box, who drills a low effort towards the near post. Nevertheless, Penders reads it well to get down and deny the former Augsburg man.

52'

Teased in

Barco swings a corner in from the right, but Kohr is first to it, clearing the danger with a commanding header.

50'

Mad scramble

The corner comes in from the right and again a Mainz player is first to it. Sano and Widmer both have efforts blocked before the referee blows for a foul on Yassine.

49'

Tietz lets fly

Mainz demonstrate their strong counter-attacking acumen once again. Sano takes the ball in his stride before teeing up Tietz to his right, whose powerful near-post effort is beaten away by Penders.

46'

Back underway!

The second half is up and running here as Mainz get the ball rolling once again. Neither manager has elected to make any changes at the break.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Mainz 2-0 Strasbourg

What a first half for Urs Fischer's Mainz. The 05ers head in at the break with a two-goal advantage thanks to two rockets from Sano and Posch. It's been largely one-way traffic at the MEWA Arena and the hosts may even feel they're unlucky not to be further ahead. Strasbourg did grow into the game very late in the half, and may look to carry that momentum into the second 45, but Mainz find themselves in a fantastic position at the interval.

© IMAGO/Harald Bremes

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Spilled by Batz

Enciso floats a curling free-kick in from the right. It looks to be a relatively straightforward catch for Batz, but the Mainz keeper spills it. After a heart-in-mouths moment for the custodian, he manages to claw it away for a corner. Batz then punches the ball clear from his goal-line following the resultant set-piece.

43'

Entering a lull

As half-time approaches, the frantic tempo at which the opening exchanges were played have slowed of late, with frequent small fouls in the midfield disrupting the flow of play.

Stealing the show

Despite not finding himself on the scoresheet, Nebel has been one of Mainz's standout performers so far in the first half. His dribbling, willingness to get forward, and incisive passing has made him a nightmare for the Strasbourg defence, who are struggling to keep the No.8 quiet.

© IMAGO/Joaquim Ferreira

35'

Widmer!

Strasbourg's zonal marking from set-pieces is leaving them exposed. This time, the corner comes in from the right, finding the head of the unmarked Widmer, who can only head the ball into the ground before Penders manages to parry.

34'

Agonisingly wide

Once again, Strasbourg concede possession inside their own half. Weiper latches onto the ball before driving his side up the field. He shifts the ball left to Nebel, who beats his marker before unleashing a cross-shot towards the far post. Kawasaki had busted a gut to try and get on the end of it, but Strasbourg just manage to scramble it behind for a corner before midfielder can reach it.

31'

First booking

After half an hour played, the first yellow card is awarded to Doué for a late challenge on Nebel.

31'

Yellow card

Guéla Doué

30'

No threat

Kawasaki wins a free-kick high up the left flank. Nebel takes, whipping it towards the far post, but a Strasbourg head is first to the ball to clear.

27'

Delivered by Barco

Mwene blocks Doué's cross down the right flank for Strasbourg, and the referee awards the French visitors a corner. Barco fires it in, his cross causing real problems in the six-yard box before Doué's backheel flick took the ball over the bar, much to Mainz's relief.

22'

In by Nebel

The young midfielder cuts back onto his left foot high up on the right flank. He swings a cross in towards the six yard box, searching for Tietz, but Penders is quick off his line to claim it.

Posch makes it two!

Mainz are in dreamland! From the resultant corner following Posch's deflected effort, Nebel plays an outswinger from the right. Posch is unmarked at the penalty spot, where he is found by his No.8 before smashing home on the volley first time. The Austrian caught that so sweetly!

© IMAGO/Harald Bremes

19'

Stefan Posch

GOAL!

2:0

18'

Well hit

Strasbourg fail to clear the ball convincingly after multiple attempts. Posch finds himself high up the pitch, where he wins the ball back. With no support, he aims a left-footed half-volley towards the bottom right corner, but a deflection takes it wide of the post and behind for a corner.

16'

Swept up by Posch

Strasbourg combine well with a slick passing move before Yassine tries to find Godo with a ball in behind. Posch is alert to the danger, though, and comes across to snuff out the danger.

Sano screamer breaks the deadlock!

Mainz have grabbed the advantage early on here and in some style to boot! The 05ers win the ball back at the halfway line. Sano drives his side up the left channel before cutting inside, beating his marker and aiming a curling effort towards the top right corner from outside the box. His shot is deflected on its way through, which takes it away from the diving Penders and onto the inside of the post and in. What a dream start for Urs Fischer's men!

© IMAGO/Joaquim Ferreira

11'

Kaishu Sano

GOAL!

1:0

8'

Danger on the break

Doué sends El Mourabat in behind the hosts' defence. The winger gets past Kohr down the right and fires a sharp ball into the middle, but Da Costa had moved inward and is able to clear it ahead of the arriving Enciso.

6'

First corner

Nebel delivers the first corner of the game, playing an outswinger from the right, but his pass is headed clear at the near post by a Strasbourg defender.

4'

In by Nebel

Kohr is fouled high up the left flank for Mainz. Nebel takes it, swinging a clever low pass to Tietz at the near post, who manages to tee up Sano on the edge of the box. However, the Japanese's shot is blocked.

Weiper breaks through

Kawasaki pounces on a loose pass high up the pitch to regain possession for his side. He slips the ball to Tietz, who then plays it in behind for Weiper to run onto. The young forward aims his shot towards the near post, but from a tight angle and under pressure, he can only smash it high and wide of the mark.

© IMAGO/Harald Bremes

1'

And we're off!

The visitors from Strasbourg get us underway here in Mainz.

Kick-off!

Minutes' silence

Ahead of kick-off, both sets of players and fans observe a moment to remember legendary Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu, who passed away earlier this week.

Buoyant atmosphere

The home fans at the MEWA Arena are in fine voice ahead of kick-off of Mainz's first ever European quarter final.

© IMAGO/Harald Bremes

More on that Mainz team

Urs Fischer also makes change to the line-up he fielded in Matchday 28's 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim. Sota Kawasaki replaces Jae-sung Lee in midfield, whilst Nelson Weiper starts ahead of Sheraldo Becker. Neither Lee nor Becker are available for selection for this evening's action.

© IMAGO/Thomas Voelker

More on that Strasbourg team

Gary O'Neil makes just one change to his side that beat Nice 3-1 at the weekend in Ligue 1. In the midfield, Barco gets the nod ahead of Nanasi, who starts on the bench.

© IMAGO/elyxandro cegarra

Mainz starting XI

Batz – Da Costa, Posch, Kohr – Widmer (c), Nebel, Sano, Kawasaki, Mwene – Weiper, Tietz

Mainz subs

Rieß, Babatz, Sieb, Bøving, Maloney, Veratschnig, Imafidon, Moreno Fell, Gleiber, Potulski

Strasbourg starting XI

Penders – Doué, Doukoure (c), Omobamidele, Chilwell – El Mourabet, Oyedele, Barco – Yassine – Enciso, Godo

Strasbourg subs

Johnsson, Kerckaert, Moreira, Emegha, Nanasi, Amougou, Høgsberg, Amo-Ameyaw, Kodia, Bosey, Luis

The Emegha threat

Argentina forward Panichelli, who ruptured his ACL on international duty last month, is sidelined, but Emmanuel Emegha came off the bench at the weekend for his first appearance since late November. The Dutch striker will be one to watch for the Mainz defence.

© FREDERICK FLORIN

Strasbourg vs. German clubs

This is the duo's first competitive fixture, and Strasbourg have won just one of their previous four meetings with German clubs. The victory came in the Europa League play-off round against Eintracht Frankfurt in August 2019, but Frankfurt won the second leg to go through 3-1 on aggregate.

© Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Anselmino sidelined

O'Neil confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Argentine defender Aarón Anselmino has sustained another hamstring injury - so no return to Germany for the man who was on loan at Borussia Dortmund earlier in the season.

© DFL/Getty Images/Leon Kügeler

Visitors with solid support

Strasbourg will be backed by 2500 fans in Mainz tonight. "It's incredible to have so much away support," said the French club's boss, Gary O'Neil.

© LOU BENOIST

Stefan Posch: "We've worked hard for this"

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Posch said, "You don't play a quarter-final every year. If there isn't that electric atmosphere then, when will there be? The team is in good spirits, the lads are all feeling great, and the anticipation is huge. We already saw the atmosphere here in the round of 16. We expect the same tomorrow. We're really looking forward to it. We've worked hard for this; it's been a long road. I'm privileged to have been able to join us right in the middle of it all. The team deserves to have all of Germany rooting for them. That's how we'll approach the game tomorrow."

© IMAGO/Martin Hoffmann

Fischer: "It will be a difficult game"

"They're a young team. But I have to say they have enormous playing quality. With Barco, they have an experienced player who directs and orchestrates the game from the centre. He does that really well. They have a good mix when it comes to speed, with players who excel in one-on-one situations. Their style of play is straightforward, very direct towards goal, and with good transition play. But they also know how to keep possession, play it safe, and draw the opponent out. If they get space, we'll struggle; it will be a difficult game."

© IMAGO/Martin Hoffmann

Urs Fischer discusses the competition in Mainz's squad

"It goes without saying that the lads are constantly pushing each other during the week. That's part of it and it has to be that way. We'll see tomorrow who ends up on the pitch in place of Sheraldo Becker. Armindo Sieb and Nelson Weiper are the two candidates. Nelly started in the second leg against Olomouc, Armindo came on and scored the decisive second goal. I have a tough choice to make, and the likelihood that both of them will get some playing time during the game is high."

© IMAGO/Martin Hoffmann

Mainz's route to the Conference League final

Should the German club get past Strasbourg, they will face either Rayo Vallecano or AEK Athens in the semi-final. Possible final opponents - if they make it that far - include Crystal Palace, Shakhtar, AZ Alkmaar and Fiorentina.

© IMAGO/Gerhard Schultheiß

Amiri on target

The nine-time Germany international scored against both Omonia Nicosia and Samsunspor in the Conference League and is Mainz's top scorer in the competition with two goals.

© IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

Early Mainz team news

Captain Silvan Widmer was being examined after coming off at half-time in Mainz's win at Hoffenheim on Saturday due to breathing issues. There are hopes key playmaker Nadiem Amiri (pictured) might come off Urs Fischer's lengthy injury list soon as he continues to recover from a foot injury that has sidelined him since February.

© Alex Grimm

Early Strasbourg team news

The Ligue 1 outfit are without midfielders Junior Mwanga and Diego Moreira plus striker Joaquín Panichelli, who are all carrying long-term injury issues. Defender Aarón Anselmino (pictured), who spent the first half of the season on loan to Dortmund from Chelsea before being loaned out to Strasbourg, recently returned from a hamstring injury to feature as a late substitute in the win over Nice.

© DFL/Getty Images/Leon Kügeler

Strasbourg win ahead of UECL match-up

Goals from Martial Godo, Julio Enciso and Samir El Mourabet secured Strasbourg a 3-1 victory over Nice on Saturday to keep the French outfit in European contention.

© IMAGO/elyxandro cegarra

0:58

Hoffenheim 1-2 Mainz - highlights

Philipp Tietz scored twice against European hopefuls Hoffenheim as Mainz continue their upward trajectory under Urs Fischer, coming into Thursday's game against Strasbourg unbeaten in their last eight games (four wins, four draws) across all competitions.

Struggles against German opposition

Strasbourg have lost both of their previous two‑legged European ties against German clubs. They were beaten 4-0 on aggregate by Duisburg in the 1978/79 UEFA Cup third round, before losing 3-1 on aggregate to Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2019/20 Europa League play‑offs.

© Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Saint-Étienne stalemate

Mainz's only previous European encounters with French opposition came in the 2016/17 Europa League group stage, when they drew both their games against Saint‑Étienne (1–1 at home, 0–0 away).

© imago sportfotodienst

Unblemished record

League phase winners Strasbourg are unbeaten in their ten Conference League matches this season, triumphing in all five of their away games so far. The Ligue 1 outfit have also emerged victorious in six of their last eight two‑legged UEFA ties.

© IMAGO/Elyxandro CEGARRA

Tough nut to crack

Mainz, who are appearing in a European quarter-final for the very first time, are also the first German club to reach the last eight of the Conference League. The Zerofivers have lost only two of their last 12 UEFA competition matches (W7 D3) and have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three.

© IMAGO/Gerhard Schultheiß

Hello and welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg between Mainz and Strasbourg.

About the clubs

Mainz

MEWA ARENA