Captain Widmer and colleagues are making history: FSV Mainz 05 is in the round of 16 of a European Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
At the end of the league phase in the Conference League, the bottom of the Bundesliga won 2-0 (1-0) against Turkish representatives Samsunspor led by German coach Thomas Reis. TV expert Lothar Matthäus described the victory as: RTL Appropriately described as “the greatest success in the history of the Mainz club.”
Captain Silvan Widmer (44th) and returnee Nadiem Amiri scored for Mainz with a hand penalty (48th). The FSV thus avoided the detour via the play-offs. The round of the best 16 is scheduled for March 12th and 19th, 2026.
Mainz remains unbeaten under Fischer
“I tried to tweak a few things at the beginning,” said the new Mainz coach Urs Fischer shortly before kick-off RTL: “We need stability. If we can 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.
Curious scene saves Mainz
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.
Shortly afterwards, Mainz were very close to the first goal again, Amiri missed again (30th). After a counterattack, Widmer broke the spell with a well-considered finish before the break.
Ice-cold Amiri evokes Kane comparisons: “A role model”
At the beginning of the second half things continued to go according to Mainz’s wishes. Amiri raised from the point. Afterwards, the FSV even came close to scoring their third goal.
“It’s a huge step for the club and a small step in the right direction for us,” Amiri explained RTL and continued: “We can build on this performance, I’m extremely proud of the boys.”
In the fifth attempt, the German international converted his fifth penalty for Mainz. However, Amiri then avoided a comparison with Bayern star Harry Kane: “No, no. Harry Kane is on a different level than me. For me, someone like him is a role model. I copy a lot from players like him.”
Game interruption! Turkish fans cause a stir
The Turkish fans provoked several short interruptions in the game in the second half by setting off pyrotechnics. Laser pointers also temporarily disrupted game operations.
“Laser pointers are one of the most pointless things you can take into a football stadium and then using the whole thing is just bananas,” said commentator Cornelius Küpper.
Among those hit was goalscorer Amiri: “It was the first time for me that I looked directly at it. It was very brief that I only saw points, but it was okay. That’s football.”
In the last game before the winter break, FSV has the extremely important Bundesliga basement duel with third-from-bottom FC St. Pauli on Sunday (3:30 p.m.). Mainz, who won their only national victory three months ago, are four points behind Hamburg.
With Sports Information Service (SID)
