Lech Poznań vs. Mainz 05 Conference League preview: Team news and predicted lineups

The Conference League serves up another intriguing clash as the two sides meet for the very first time at Stadion Poznań on matchday five, with both carrying plenty of motivation and pressure into the fixture.

Lech Poznań sit 16th in the group table with six points from their opening four games, a haul that includes strong wins over Rapid Wien and Lausanne. However, their campaign has been overshadowed by a shock defeat to Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar - a result that could yet prove costly if qualification slips away.

A lot has changed since that night in Gibraltar. Lech have found stability and confidence, losing just two of their last ten matches in all competitions. Their improved form has them well-positioned heading into Thursday’s encounter against a Mainz side in domestic turmoil. Victory here would put them firmly on the path to the knockout rounds.

Head coach Niels Fredriksen is leaning on the energy of the home crowd to push his players over the line:

“We can count on strong fan support and a great atmosphere, and this support helps the players and pushes them forward. Furthermore, we don’t have to travel before a home match, so it’s a chance to recharge before the match.”  

Thursday’s match also signals the beginning of a new chapter for Mainz. Urs Fischer takes charge for the first time, tasked with dragging the club out of the slump that cost Bo Henriksen his job. Thankfully for the former Union Berlin boss, Europe has been a rare bright spot, with Mainz sitting 5th after three wins from four.

The severity of Mainz’s slump has been clear for some time, with even their European momentum beginning to fade. Their flawless start to the campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Universitatea Craiova in what proved to be Bo Henriksen’s penultimate match in charge. But that now feels like a line drawn under the past. With Urs Fischer’s arrival, both players and staff have an opportunity to reset and begin writing a new chapter, starting on Thursday night.

Fischer has already suggested there won’t be wholesale changes in his first game in charge: 

“We’ve already taken a step in the right direction today just on how we’re going to move around the pitch. I’m not going to change too much to begin with and will not be going with a back four for the time being. The boys need to play the way they know at the moment. Bringing in a completely new system takes time.”

As noted earlier, this will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Lech Poznań, however, have yet to record a victory over German opposition in Europe across four previous attempts. All while the new Mainz boss Fischer holds a perfect record against Thursday’s hosts, winning all four of his prior encounters with the Polish side.

Team news 

Daniel Håkans, Patrik Wålemark, Alex Douglas and Antonio Milic are unavailable for the home side. 

For Mainz, Robin Zentner and Anthony Caci remain sidelined, and Fischer has already suffered his first injury setback with Philip Mwene ruled out due to a muscle issue.

Predicted lineups

Lech Poznań (4-4-2): Mrozek (GK) - Pereira, Mońka, Skrzypcak, Gurgul - Palma, Kozubal, Rodriguez, Bengtsson - Ishak, Ismaheel 

Mainz 05 (3-5-2): Batz (GK) - da Costa, Maloney, Potulski - Widmer, Sano, Amiri, Nebel, Veratschnig - Hollerbach, Weiper