Conference League Player Ratings | Mainz 2-0 Racing Strasbourg – A third Bundesliga club takes a massive stride towards a European semi-final

Kaishu Sano scores a dream goal The German hosts immediately capitalized on a mistake in build up play from their nervy guests and produced the first scoring chance before two minutes had elapsed. German striker Nelson Weiper (in for the on UECL-registered Sheraldo Becker) hit the side netting in the 2nd-minute. Buoyed by the early opportunity, Fischer’s men pummeled the Alsatian net uninterrupted over the course of the opening ten minutes.

The well-deserved opener came in the 11th-minute; a co-production between two of Mainz’s Japanese talents. Mainz “midfield iron man” Kaishu Sano turned an impressive midfield ball win into a splendid one-two with his compatriot Kota Kawasaki. Sano then capped off a scintillating solo run forward with a beautifully curled effort from the left-hand-side of the box.

The 1-0 did take a slight deflection before kissing the post on its far to the far corner, but Sano’s effort remained worthy just his second goal scored in Mainz colors. The Germans refused to rest on their laurels, pushing hard to double the advantage. Stefan Posch scores another stunner One of Mainz’s key January acquisitions wanted more.

Posch found himself denied only by the fingertips of the keeper on a scorching effort from 20 meters out in the 18th-minute. The Austrian defender nevertheless ended up still scoring on the subsequent corner, volleying home the 2-0 in acrobatic fashion to put the hosts two goals to the good in the 19th-minute. The rattled guests were able to create a little danger off dead balls, but for the most part it was Mainz who dominated the rest of the first half.