Mainz comeback stuns UEFA Conference League rivals Fiorentina

Substitute Jae-Sung Lee scored deep into stoppage time as Mainz overturned a deficit to defeat Fiorentina, maintaining their perfect start in this season's UEFA Conference League.

Match Summary

Mainz 2–1 Fiorentina
Goals: 0–1 Sohm (assist: Piccoli) 16', 1–1 Hollerbach 68' (assist: Lee), 2–1 Lee 90'+5 (assist: Sano)

First Half

Mainz, boosted by earlier 1–0 wins over Omonia Nicosia and Zrinjski Mostar, began confidently but were punished against the flow of play. Danny Costa’s misplaced pass was intercepted, leading to Simon Sohm calmly finishing from the edge of the box.

Goalkeeper Robin Zentner denied Roberto Piccoli from adding another shortly afterward, while Kacper Potulski produced a vital tackle to stop the Italian forward just before halftime.

Second Half

Piccoli missed a prime opportunity early in the second period, and Mainz capitalized moments later. Substitute Benedikt Hollerbach initiated and concluded a sharp team move to level the score within three minutes of his introduction.

Fiorentina substitute Moise Kean squandered a clear header with the goal wide open, a moment that proved costly for the visitors. In the fifth minute of added time, Mainz’s luck turned to brilliance when Lee headed in a precise cross from fellow substitute Kaishu Sano to complete the dramatic comeback.

Next Fixture

Mainz will continue their European journey with an away match against Universitatea Craiova of Romania on November 27.

“Lady Luck was clearly shining on the home side, who snatched all three points when Lee headed in fellow sub Kaishu Sano's cross.”

Author’s Summary

Mainz delivered a thrilling comeback, with substitutes Hollerbach and Lee sealing a late 2–1 win over Fiorentina to preserve their flawless Conference League campaign.

Bundesliga | official website — 2025-11-06