FSV make history by beating Olomouc

The European dream at 1. FSV Mainz 05 continues, thanks to a deserved 2-0 win in their round-of-16 second-leg game against SK Sigma Olomouc. Second-half goals from Stefan Posch and Armindo Sieb fired the 05ers to the first European quarter-final in the club’s history. Mainz controlled the match over the full 90 minutes, created numerous good chances and ultimately rewarded themselves for a strong performance. The MEWA ARENA erupted after the full-time whistle went, as the 05ers celebrated reaching the last eight.

Three changes to the starting lineup

Urs Fischer made three changes to the side that started the first leg in Czechia. Silas, who suffered a serious injury in that game, was replaced by Nelson Weiper for this one. Jae-sung Lee and Silvan Widmer were brought in for Kacper Potulski and William Bøving, both of whom started on the bench.

Lots of chances, no goals

You could feel the anticipation of everyone inside the MEWA ARENA during the build-up to kick-off, as the 05ers prepared for their first-ever European knockout fixture in their home stadium. A banner held up by the Mainz fans before the game read "Lasst uns alle Zweifel vertreiben, wir werden heut Geschichte schreiben" (English: “Have no doubts, today we will make history”). The 05ers started quickly and won themselves a corner inside the first minute thanks to Weiper’s pressing. Philipp Tietz then had a chance after four minutes, but was denied at the near post by goalkeeper Jan Koutny. Mainz were in complete control as their opponents looked to sit back. After winning the ball high up the pitch, a chipped pass from Widmer found Weiper’s head, but his effort was too central (9’). Since Mainz had everything under control in the opening quarter-hour and Sigma offered little going forward, it took a misplaced pass in Mainz’s build-up play to create the Czech side’s first chance. Mwene played the ball straight to an opponent, who immediately found Jan Kliment in the center, but his poked effort went just wide (20’).

The game settled down after that with Mainz still controlling things, however they didn’t create another real chance until the 35th minute. Tietz broke through on the right wing and spotted Phillip Mwene on the left. The full-back cut inside and curled the ball just past the right post. Fischer’s side began to pile more pressure on towards the end of the half and created four more good chances. Headers from Jae-sung Lee and Weiper and shots from Tietz and Mwene all failed to trouble Koutny in the Olomouc goal. The whistle then went for half time and the sides headed down the tunnel with the score still level.

Mainz pressure leads to goals

What the 05ers had missed in the first half, they found immediately after the restart. Once again, Mainz attacked with a cross. This time, Posch was perfectly positioned on the edge of the six-yard box to meet Nebel’s delivery and head the ball over Koutny into the top corner – 1-0 Mainz (46’). The hosts kept up the pressure and had chances to add a second. Tietz was denied at the last second by a challenge from an opposing defender before Weiper saw his effort blocked (54’, 56’). The visitors were forced to push forward, opening up spaces in behind them. Weiper made a great run, but Tietz couldn’t find the right pass (68’).

For the final twenty minutes, Armindo Sieb and Niki Veratschnig were brought on to add fresh energy and pace, replacing Weiper and Widmer. After Tietz was held back just outside the penalty area, Mainz were awarded a free kick in a good position and Olomouc defender Peter Baráth was shown a second yellow card. Nebel’s free kick smashed the crossbar (77’). A second goal almost came about shortly after, but Lee couldn’t take his chance (81’). No matter, as just a minute later, Veratschnig and Danny da Costa played a one-two and squared it to Sieb, who finished to make it 2-0 (82’). With a two-goal lead and a man advantage, there was little danger in the closing stages apart from a header by the visitors (85’). Sota Kawasaki, Kacper Potulski and Lennard Maloney came on for Nebel, da Costa and Lee in the final minutes. The outstanding Kaishu Sano narrowly missed twice more before the final whistle blew and the celebrations could begin.