Mainz sweep past Strasbourg in UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg

Mainz moved a step closer to the UEFA Conference League last four with a deserved quarter-final first-leg win over Strasbourg at the Mewa Arena.

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 Kaishū 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 players

6

Kaishu

Sano

1. FSV Mainz 05

4

Stefan

Posch

1. FSV Mainz 05

About the clubs

Mainz

MEWA ARENA