Mainz Comeback Stuns Fiorentina in UEFA Conference League
Substitute Jae-Sung Lee scored deep into injury time, securing a 2-1 victory for Mainz over Fiorentina and extending their perfect start in this season's UEFA Conference League to three wins.
Match Summary
- Goals:
- 0-1 Simon Sohm (assist: Roberto Piccoli) — 16'
- 1-1 Benedikt Hollerbach (assist: Jae-Sung Lee) — 68'
- 2-1 Jae-Sung Lee (assist: Kaishu Sano) — 90'+5'
After two opening 1-0 victories against Omonia Nicosia and Zrinjski Mostar, Mainz began the match energetically but fell behind early despite dominating play. An errant pass by Danny Costa was intercepted, leading to Sohm’s precise finish from the edge of the box.
Fiorentina were close to doubling their lead when goalkeeper Robin Zentner denied Roberto Piccoli a clear chance. Kacper Potulski also made a crucial block just before halftime, preventing another goal.
Second Half Turnaround
Early in the second half, Piccoli missed a good chance. Mainz responded swiftly through Hollerbach, who scored less than three minutes after coming on as a substitute, finishing a well-worked team move with an assist from Lee.
“Lady Luck was clearly shining on the home side,”
as Fiorentina substitute Moise Kean missed a superb opportunity, heading wide with the goal at his mercy.
The dramatic winner came in the fifth minute of added time when Lee headed home a cross from fellow substitute Kaishu Sano, sealing all three points for Mainz.
Next Fixture
Mainz will face Romania’s Universitatea Craiova in their next European match on 27 November.
To recap the action and view Mainz’s upcoming Conference League fixtures, follow the official match updates.
Summary: Mainz completed a thrilling late comeback against Fiorentina, showing resilience and tactical impact from substitutes to maintain their undefeated start in the UEFA Conference League.