For the first time in the club’s history, Mainz 05 is in the round of 16 of a European Cup. The success against Samsunspor is also the first victory under new coach Urs Fischer.
For the first time in the club’s history, Mainz 05 is in the round of 16 of a European Cup. Against the Turkish first division team Samsunspor, the Zero Fives showed a lot of courage and a familiar lightness.
On the sixth and final matchday of the league phase of the UEFA Conference League, 1. FSV Mainz 05 secured a deserved 2-0 win against Samsunspor. At the home premiere of 05 coach Urs Fischer in the sold-out Mainz Arena, the Rheinhessen impressed from the start with a lot of commitment on offense and a disciplined defensive performance.
Captain Silvan Widmer gave the Zero Fives the lead before the break (44th minute). Shortly after the restart, Nadiem Amiri made it 2-0 with a penalty (48′). After two recent draws, it is the zero fives’ first win under the new head coach.
Mainz coach Urs Fischer made six changes compared to the narrow 2:2 against FC Bayern in the line-up: In addition to captain Silvan Widmer, Nadiem Amiri also recovered in time for the last league game in the Conference League and moved into the starting line-up. Dominik Kehr and Paul Nebel returned after a suspension. Nelson Weiper and Andreas Hanche-Olsen were also there from the start.
Mainz 05 starts with a double chance
In the eleventh minute, Mainz came dangerously close to the Turkish first division team’s goal for the first time. A volley from Nadiem Amiri was blocked on the line and Nelson Weiper’s follow-up header didn’t hit the net either. However, Mainz had gained momentum thanks to this double chance. Three minutes later, Amiri narrowly missed taking the lead: his free kick from 28 meters would have landed in the left corner had Okan Kocuk not had his fingers in between.
Lead at the break: Captain Silvan Widmer scores
Then the guests suddenly had the chance to counterattack and let it go quickly. After a strong pass from Anthony Musaba on the outside of his foot, Emre Kilinc finished from around seven meters. Only Daniel Batz saved Mainz from going behind, the Turks’ follow-up shot bounced off their own man.
After exactly half an hour there was space again in the opponent’s box for Amiri, who shot with his left from around 14 meters. However, Samsunspor keeper Kocuk parried the slightly deflected ball superbly.
Shortly before the break, the fans in the Mainz Arena had already seen many, sometimes wild, scoring opportunities. The opening goal, however, came about almost inconspicuously: it was Zerofive captain Silvan Widmer who took a lob from Jae-Sung Lee from the left halffield and undermined Samsunspor’s defensive line. He hit the far corner from a good twelve meters and gave Mainz a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute.
Nadiem Amiri: Strong from the point and also in the center of things
The second half began with a penalty for Mainz after a handball in the 48th minute. Nadiem Amiri left no doubt and made it 2-0 for the hosts with a precise shot low into the left corner. Even afterwards, Amiri remained one of the main protagonists: After a one-two with Lee, he shot on goal from around five meters with a direct shot. Lee’s spectacular lob almost ended up in the visitors’ net.
The frustration on Samsunspor’s side was also noticeable in the fan block. The game had to be interrupted several times because fireworks got onto the field. Mainz was then able to defend its lead solidly, also because there wasn’t much more from the guests from Turkey in the final half hour. It remained 2-0 at the final whistle – Mainz 05 climbed to sixth place in the Conference League and, with this victory, secured direct entry into the round of 16 of a European competition for the first time in the club’s history.
Mainz saves itself an extra round – full focus on the relegation battle in the Bundesliga
This means that Mainz will skip the two playoff games in February and will not return to the Conference League until March 12th. Before the zero fives go into the winter break, the bottom of the Bundesliga table will face FC St. Pauli in the basement duel on Sunday in Mainz. With European euphoria in their luggage, it could perhaps work out a three-pointer in the league against Hamburg, who are also in danger of relegation and are in 16th place in the table.
