Mainz 05, powered by Korean national team star Lee Jae-sung, has reached the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) quarterfinals for the first time, achieving a milestone that eluded the club even under legendary coaches Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel during their stints at the helm.
Round of 16 Triumph Over Sigma Olomouc
On March 20 Korean time, Mainz secured a 2-0 victory in the second leg of their round-of-16 tie against Czech side Sigma Olomouc at the Mewa Arena. The aggregate score stood at 2-0 after a goalless first leg, propelling the German outfit into the last eight.
Quarterfinal Draw Unveiled
Mainz now faces French club Strasbourg in the quarterfinals. The first leg takes place at Mainz on April 10, with the return fixture at Strasbourg on April 17. Strasbourg advanced after overcoming HNK Rijeka in the previous round.
The full quarterfinal matchups include:
- Mainz vs. Strasbourg
- Crystal Palace vs. Fiorentina
- Rayo Vallecano vs. AEK Athens
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs. AZ Alkmaar
A potential semifinal clash awaits the Mainz-Strasbourg winner against the victor of Rayo Vallecano and AEK Athens. The final is scheduled for May 28 at RB Leipzig.
Tactical Setup and Key Roles
Coach Bo Henriksen opted for a 3-5-2 formation. Lee Jae-sung, 34, took on a pivotal central midfield role in the engine room. The lineup featured goalkeeper Bachmann, a back three of Kohr, Posch, and Da Costa, and forwards including Baïpa-Tietcheu up top, with Umehonen, Sano, Nebel, and Midtmar supporting in midfield.
