Amiri penalty seals victory in Nicosia

1. FSV Mainz 05 got the league phase of the Conference League underway with a hard-fought but deserved 1-0 victory away at Omonoia FC. Nadiem Amiri struck from the penalty spot in the second half to secure all three points in Cyprus. It wasn’t always straightforward – FSV were made to work in the opening 45 minutes and were denied by the post in search of the breakthrough – but Bo Henriksen’s side took control after the restart. With 1,500 travelling fans behind them, the 05ers showed maturity and composure to claim the win on their long-awaited European return.

Potulski makes debut in four changes

Henriksen rang in the changes compared to the Dortmund game, with four fresh faces in the starting line-up at the GSP Stadium. There was also a surprise inclusion as 17-year-old academy product Kacper Potulski was handed his professional debut. He was joined in the starting XI by Stefan Bell, Niki Veratschnig and Arnaud Nordin, with Maxim Leitsch (illness), Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Silvan Widmer starting on the bench, and Jae-sung Lee rested. Dominik Kohr missed the trip altogether for personal reasons.

Slow start, woodwork denies opener

FSV’s first European match in nearly nine years began cautiously, with Veratschnig testing his range inside two minutes. Omonoia immediately responded with the clearer chances. Robin Zentner saved sharply from Willy Semedo before Ryan Mmaee, looking suspiciously offside, somehow dragged a shot wide of an empty net (4’).

Nordin and Amiri both tried their luck, but Mainz struggled with Omonoia’s aggression and quick transitions in a lively opening spell. The hosts broke into dangerous areas on several occasions, with Ioannis Masouras drawing another stop from Zentner (8’). After 20 minutes it was an even contest, though Mainz still lacked precision and conviction in the final third.

Pressed high, the Cypriots often went long, but they also found gaps between FSV’s back three and the midfield pairing of Amiri and Kaishu Sano. The game slowed somewhat until Ewandro went close (26’), followed by Semedo’s shot flashing wide (33’). Despite being second best for spells, Mainz almost nicked the opener. Nordin’s delivery from a short corner bounced back off the far post, the rebound almost falling for Bell before Francis Uzoho smothered (35’).

The visitors began to grow into the game before half-time. Phillipp Mwene narrowly missed at the far post from a Nordin cross (44’), Potulski saw an effort blocked and Armindo Sieb volleyed over in stoppage time, leaving the scores goalless at the break.

Control, breakthrough and a pause in play

Both sides looked to get forward quickly again after the restart, but Mainz immediately seized control. They pinned Omonoia deep in their own half, with Paul Nebel denied by a last-ditch interception (54’). The dominance didn’t translate into chances straight away, and Omonoia almost punished them when Semedo delayed in front of goal, allowing Bell to make a crucial block (59’).

Henriksen freshened things up just past the hour mark, sending on Ben Bobzien and Hanche-Olsen for Potulski – who impressed on his debut – and Veratschnig. From then on, the game was played almost entirely in the hosts’ half. Mainz circulated the ball around the edge of the box but rarely forced a save, while Stefan Simic missed a rare opening for Omonoia at the other end (70’).

Benedict Hollerbach made his comeback from injury for the final 20 minutes, but it was Kaishu Sano who changed the game. The midfielder burst into the box with a powerful run, only to be tripped by Saad Agouzoul. Amiri stepped up and slotted the spot-kick calmly into the right-hand corner to make it 1-0 (75’).

The celebrations were soured as objects were thrown from the stands, with Bobzien struck on the neck by a cup. Referee Milos Milanovic briefly halted the match and took both teams off the pitch. Once play resumed, Mainz managed the game well. With Lennard Maloney and Widmer coming on for Mwene and Amiri in the closing stages, they saw out the win without further scares.

At full time, the players celebrated together with the travelling fans, marking Mainz’s European return after almost a decade with a well-earned and memorable victory.