Mainz 05 Shines in Conference League Despite Bundesliga Struggles

Despite facing challenges in the Bundesliga, where they currently occupy the second-to-last position, Mainz 05 has been impressively performing in the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League. Their recent 2-1 victory over ACF Fiorentina at home has allowed them to maintain a flawless record in the group stage, with three consecutive wins.

As in their previous match, Bo Henriksen’s team delivered a thrilling performance that delighted the sold-out crowd. After trailing 0-1, Mainz fought back to score two goals in the second half, with Jae-Sung Lee netting a dramatic winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Both head coach Henriksen and captain Nadiem Amiri expressed profound joy following the match.

“I’m very relieved,” Amiri stated in an interview with RTL. “Although we didn’t play the most attractive football today and had to work hard, I’m thrilled to see how our efforts resonated with our fans in the stands. I cannot recall Mainz ever defeating such a significant opponent at home. This victory will be remembered in our history.”

Henriksen echoed Amiri’s sentiments, calling it “one of those magical evenings” during his RTL interview. “We are excited to achieve this result and celebrate with our fans. It was a challenging opponent, but we maintained our belief. We started strong, faced a difficult spell, and then gradually found our rhythm again.

“For me, heart is paramount,” Henriksen continued. “Today, we showcased our heart. When you possess that, anything is achievable. We have been lacking these emotions. While the day we avoided relegation last season stands as a highlight of my coaching career, this moment is also significant.

“Ultimately, moments like these embody the essence of football,” Henriksen concluded, gesturing to the enthusiastic fans. “We cherish football because of experiences like this. We love it. We simply love it.”

GGFN | Peter Weis