Mainz Comeback Stuns UEFA Conference League Rivals Fiorentina
Substitute Jae-Sung Lee struck deep into stoppage time to complete a dramatic turnaround as Mainz defeated Fiorentina 2–1, securing their third consecutive win in this season's UEFA Conference League.
Match Summary
- Goals: 0–1 Sohm (assist: Piccoli) 16', 1–1 Hollerbach (assist: Lee) 68', 2–1 Lee (assist: Sano) 90'+5'
- Mainz remain unbeaten after victories over Omonia Nicosia and Zrinjski Mostar.
First Half
Mainz began energetically but fell behind against the flow of play when Danny Costa’s misplaced pass allowed Fiorentina to counter. Simon Sohm finished confidently from the edge of the box. Robin Zentner denied Roberto Piccoli shortly after, while defender Kacper Potulski made a vital tackle just before the interval to keep Mainz in the contest.
Second Half
After halftime, Piccoli missed a clear opportunity to double Fiorentina’s lead. The hosts responded strongly through substitute Benedikt Hollerbach, who scored less than three minutes after coming on with a neat team move he both initiated and completed.
Late Drama
Fiorentina substitute Moise Kean missed a golden chance with a close-range header before Mainz seized victory. In added time, Jae-Sung Lee headed home a precise cross from Kaishu Sano to send the home fans into raptures.
"Lady Luck was clearly shining on the home side, who snatched all three points when Lee headed in fellow sub Kaishu Sano’s cross in the fifth minute of added time."
Next Fixture
Mainz will travel to Romania to face Universitatea Craiova on 27 November in their next European encounter.
Author’s summary: Mainz’s spirited comeback, sealed by Jae-Sung Lee’s last-minute header, keeps their perfect Conference League run alive after a tense clash with Fiorentina.