No points in Craiova

In a scrappy game with few real highlights, Mainz slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Universitatea Craiova on matchday four of the UEFA Conference League. Both teams all but cancelled each other out in the first half, with neither side creating clear chances. After the break, a penalty converted by Craiova’s Al-Hamlawi in the 67th minute put the home side ahead. Mainz pushed harder going forward in the closing stages and thought they had levelled through a Kacper Potulski header (88’), only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Craiova held on to their narrow lead, handing the Rheinhessen their first loss of the competition.

Head coach Bo Henriksen made five changes to his starting XI compared to the 1-1 draw against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Arnaud Nordin, William Bøving, Stefan Bell, Nikolas Veratschnig and Ben Bobzien came in for the ill Phillipp Mwene as well as Kaishu Sano, Jae-sung Lee, Paul Nebel and Benedict Hollerbach.

Few highlights in a scrappy first half

The opening minutes were cautious, with neither side taking many risks as they looked to settle into the game. The first moment of danger in the Mainz half came via a Baluta effort for Craiova, though it turned out to be more of a floated ball and was comfortably claimed by Robin Zentner (7’). Mainz then began to take control and earned several corners, though none led to the breakthrough they were looking for. Their first real chance fell to Arnaud Nordin, who broke into the hosts’ box from the left after a ball in behind, but his shot flew just wide of the near post (19’).

Moments later, the Rheinhessen suffered a setback when Zentner went down injured off the ball. After brief treatment, he had to make way for Lasse Rieß (24’). The change did little to affect Mainz’s overall approach: the visitors continued to dictate the tempo without creating anything clear-cut, while Craiova’s attacking moves lacked the precision needed to cause real problems. As the first half wore on, the game grew increasingly disjointed, with both teams struggling to find ways through to create chances. Craiova finished the half slightly stronger and managed to work their way into the Mainz box a few times, but genuine scoring opportunities remained scarce. The sides headed into the break with the score still goalless.

Mainz lacking threat, Craiova score from the spot

Mainz made one change at half-time, with Kacper Potulski replacing Stefan Bell (46’). The pattern of the game initially remained the same after the restart, with most of the action taking place in midfield and both teams lacking real intent in the final third. Henriksen introduced fresh legs just after the hour mark, bringing on Jae-sung Lee and Paul Nebel for Arnaud Nordin and Ben Bobzien (61’). A few minutes later, the danger level rose in the Mainz penalty area. After a cross from Etim, Potulski cleared the ball but brought down Cicaldau in the process – the referee instantly pointed to the spot, and Al-Hamlawi converted to give Craiova the lead (67’). Shortly afterwards, Mainz used their final substitution, sending on Kaishu Sano for Lennard Maloney (73’).

The 05ers showed a bit more attacking intent from that point onwards, but their play remained too imprecise at key moments to produce real chances. Craiova, meanwhile, increasingly looked to hit on the break after Mainz turnovers, forcing the Rheinhessen to stay alert at the back. Even so, Mainz won a number of set pieces late on, one of which appeared to provide the equaliser: Potulski brilliantly headed in a Nadiem Amiri free-kick, but the goal was chalked off for offside following a video review (88’), leaving the home side’s lead intact. Mainz threw everything forward in the dying minutes, but the leveller never came. It finished 1-0 to Craiova, leaving Henriksen’s side empty-handed.

Mainz now turn their attention to Sunday’s Bundesliga clash away to SC Freiburg (19:30 CET), while the 05ers’ next home match is on Friday, 5th December against Borussia Mönchengladbach (20:30 CET).