Lech Poznan – FSV Mainz 05 1:1 (1:1)
Mainz 05 missed out on a win in their first game under new head coach Urs Fischer. In the game against the Polish champions Lech Poznan in the Conference League The Bundesliga team couldn’t get beyond a draw and ended the game 1-1 (1-1).
Mainz Started with extreme concentration in the first few minutes and hardly allowed any chances defensively. However, the Rheinhessen didn’t really have any chances to score. The first good impulses came from Sōta Kawasaki, who came on early and took the lead straight away (28th minute). On the other hand, Kawasaki fouled a little later and referee Andrei Chivulete awarded a penalty – a controversial decision. Poznan’s Michael Ishak was undeterred and scored to make it 1-1 (41st).
At the start of the second half, Mainz continued to apply pressure, but it wasn’t enough to score another goal. Then Nikolas Veratschnig received a yellow-red card and had to leave the field. Afterwards, it was just a matter of defending the draw with ten men for Mainz.
Mainz is playing better than in the Bundesliga
“We defied all adversities,” said goalkeeper Daniel Batz with satisfaction afterwards. “To survive 25 minutes with ten men in our situation is outstanding.”
Mainz is currently doing much better in the Conference League with three wins from five games than in the Bundesliga, where the team is in last place in the table. At the beginning of December, the club took action and fired the previous head coach, Bo Henriksen. The first game of the new coach Fischer, who last worked at Union Berlin until 2023, was eagerly awaited.
Next Thursday, Mainz will face Samsunspor Kulübü for a direct place in the round of 16 of the Conference League. In the Bundesliga, Mainz has to face league leaders Bayern Munich directly on Sunday.
