Conference League
Captain and DFB star meet: Mainz writes club history
Updated 12/18/2025 – 11:05 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
With a convincing performance against Samsunspor, the Bundesliga club reached the knockout phase of the European Cup for the first time. The upward trend under new coach Urs Fischer continues.
FSV Mainz 05 is in the round of 16 of a European Cup for the first time in the club’s history. The bottom of the Bundesliga won 2-0 at home against Samsunspor on the last group matchday of the Conference League and is now in the last 16, saving itself the detour via the play-offs.
The goals for the 05ers were scored by captain Silvan Widmer shortly before (44th) and national player Nadiem Amiri immediately after the break (48th/hand penalty).
This means that new coach Urs Fischer remains unbeaten after the surprising draw at Bayern Munich (2:2). For Mainz it was the fourth win in the sixth game, meaning they finished the league phase of the Conference League in sixth place.
“I tried to tweak a few things at the beginning,” said the new Mainz coach Urs Fischer shortly before kick-off on RTL: “We need stability. If we get that on the pitch, then I’m confident.” Sports director Christian Heidel assumed “a game at eye level”: “It will be a close story.”
Under Fischer’s direction, the Mainz team had two draws in two competitive games before the Samsunspor game – most recently the surprising 2-2 at Bayern Munich. Against Samsunspor, Fischer was again able to rely on national player Amiri, who was recently missing due to injury. On the other hand, the suspended Nikolas Veratschnig and the injured Sota Kawasaki, Robin Zentner and Phillipp Mwene were missing.
In the first few minutes, the hosts were anxious to be secure on defense. Amiri still had the lead (11th). After the great chance, the Mainz team took control, Amiri once again caused danger with a free kick (14th). The lead for Rheinhessen was in the air at this stage.
Things got strange in the 24th minute – the Turks should have taken the lead. But instead of pushing the ball into the almost empty goal, Carlo Holse hit his own teammate Emre Kilinc, who “cleared” just before the goal line for Mainz.