Advantage Mainz over Strasbourg in Conference League quarter-final tie

Nelson Weiper had Mainz’s first chance inside the first two minutes as they started the game strongly against the previously unbeaten team in the competition. Their effort was rewarded with Kaishū Sano’s slightly deflected strike in the 11th minute. The midfielder curled it home brilliantly after a one-two with his compatriot Sota Kawasaki.

Less than ten minutes later, the in-form Stefan Posch doubled their lead with another screamer. Mike Penders saved his initial effort, but the Austrian scored from the resulting corner-kick with a first-time volley. Including in back-to-back European games, the center-back has now scored three goals in his last five appearances.

It took nearly half an hour for the visitors to fashion their first chance in the tie. Guela Doué, who is the older brother of PSG’s Désiré, sent it wide from a close range after a corner-kick.

Paul Nebel and Phillip Tietz had decent chances in the next five minutes as Mainz regained their momentum towards the end of the half. However, Strasbourg had a rare sight of a goal before half-time when Daniel Batz misjudged Julio Enciso’s weak free-kick delivery.

Strasbourg started the second-half with the vast majority of possession, but Penders remained the busiest goalkeeper with two decent saves to deny Tietz. Enciso, who has joined the Ligue 1 outfit because of the connection with sister club Chelsea, squandered yet another decent opportunity at the other end.

Mainz largely restored to defending their lead for the rest of the half as Strasbourg came close on a few occasions, including Valentin Barco’s powerful hit ricocheted off the woodwork.

The hosts finished the game strongly, but they couldn’t add to their lead with a couple of missed opportunities. Three yellow cards were dished out in the last minute of injury-time as the game ended with a mass confrontation between players from the two teams.

Mainz will host Freiburg on Sunday in the clash of two teams facing European quarter-final return legs next week. Ligue 1 accepted Strasbourg’s request to play their game against Brest at a later date so that they can prepare for Mainz’s visit to Stade de la Meinau.