German U21 international Levin Öztunali scored to secure a first ever Europa League victory for FSV Mainz 05. The 20-year old put the Bundesliga team 3-2 in the lead against Gabala FC with his goal just eleven minutes after he came on. Head coach Martin Schmidt’s team now have four points in Europa League group C after their 1-1 draw against AS Saint-Etienne in the opening group game.
Martin Schmidt proved he had the magic touch in Baku. After Yoshinori Muto put Mainz in the lead in the 41st minute, the hosts managed to turn the match around with a penalty from Ruslan Gurbanov (57’) and a goal from Sergei Zenjov just under five minutes later. Schmidt reacted quickly and brought substitutes Öztunali and Jhon Cordoba onto the pitch in the 67th minutes. The Colombian striker scored the equaliser to make it 2-2 just seconds after coming on. Öztunali scored the winner for FSV Mainz 05 in the 78th minute.
Muto puts Mainz in the lead in the first half
It didn’t take Mainz long to overcome their nervousness in Baku, 3300 away from home. It turned out to be an even game against the unbeaten leaders of the Azerbaijan premier league. FSV Mainz 05 didn’t have any clear goal opportunities in the first twenty minutes of the match.
Mainz goalkeeper Jonas Lössl had a lot more to do than the team wanted in the first half. However, Mainz were let off when Ricardinho hit the crossbar with his header in the 24th minute and Zenjov couldn’t get his shot on target on the rebound. Muto put his side in the lead just before half time with his first shot on goal. Gaetan Bussmann put the ball into the box for the Japanese player who tucked his shot away in the far corner.
Schmidt’s substitutions make an impact
Pablo de Blasis and Yunus Malli both came close to getting the equaliser for Mainz at the beginning of the second half. But Gabala punished them for not making the most of their chances. Lössl made a late challenge on Ozobić in the box to give away a penalty that was converted by Gurbanov to make it 1-1.
Zenjov stunned the travelling Mainz fans just minutes later with his goal to put the hosts in the lead. Schmidt reacted by bringing on Cordoba and Öztunali who managed to rescue Mainz and give them the victory.
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German U21 international Levin Öztunali scored to secure a first ever Europa League victory for FSV Mainz 05. The 20-year old put the Bundesliga team 3-2 in the lead against Gabala FC with his goal just eleven minutes after he came on. Head coach Martin Schmidt’s team now have four points in Europa League group C after their 1-1 draw against AS Saint-Etienne in the opening group game.
Martin Schmidt proved he had the magic touch in Baku. After Yoshinori Muto put Mainz in the lead in the 41st minute, the hosts managed to turn the match around with a penalty from Ruslan Gurbanov (57’) and a goal from Sergei Zenjov just under five minutes later. Schmidt reacted quickly and brought substitutes Öztunali and Jhon Cordoba onto the pitch in the 67th minutes. The Colombian striker scored the equaliser to make it 2-2 just seconds after coming on. Öztunali scored the winner for FSV Mainz 05 in the 78th minute.
Muto puts Mainz in the lead in the first half
It didn’t take Mainz long to overcome their nervousness in Baku, 3300 away from home. It turned out to be an even game against the unbeaten leaders of the Azerbaijan premier league. FSV Mainz 05 didn’t have any clear goal opportunities in the first twenty minutes of the match.
Mainz goalkeeper Jonas Lössl had a lot more to do than the team wanted in the first half. However, Mainz were let off when Ricardinho hit the crossbar with his header in the 24th minute and Zenjov couldn’t get his shot on target on the rebound. Muto put his side in the lead just before half time with his first shot on goal. Gaetan Bussmann put the ball into the box for the Japanese player who tucked his shot away in the far corner.
Schmidt’s substitutions make an impact
Pablo de Blasis and Yunus Malli both came close to getting the equaliser for Mainz at the beginning of the second half. But Gabala punished them for not making the most of their chances. Lössl made a late challenge on Ozobić in the box to give away a penalty that was converted by Gurbanov to make it 1-1.
Zenjov stunned the travelling Mainz fans just minutes later with his goal to put the hosts in the lead. Schmidt reacted by bringing on Cordoba and Öztunali who managed to rescue Mainz and give them the victory.
