FSV Mainz 05 defeated RC Strasbourg 2-0 in the UEFA Conference League quarter-final first leg, positioning themselves strongly for the semis ahead of the return leg at La Meinau. SC Freiburg beat Celta Vigo 3-0 in the Europa League. Both German sides dominated their matches.
In the Conference League quarterfinal first leg at the MEWA Arena, FSV Mainz 05 beat Racing Straßburg 2-0 (2-0) in front of 32,000 spectators, gaining a strong advantage. Japanese midfielder Kaishu Sano opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a strike into the top corner after dispossessing Yassine, and Stefan Posch (also referred to as Philipp Posch) doubled the lead in the 19th with an unmarked header/ volley from a corner.
Mainz outmuscled Strasbourg in duels, dominating and remaining unbeaten in nine obligatory matches. Strasbourg, coached by Gary O’Neil and previously never conceding more than one goal per Conference League match this season, trailed 2-0 at halftime. After the break, Mike Penders denied Tim Lemperle twice for Mainz, while Phillip Tietz missed chances; Valentin Barco struck the crossbar in the 74th for Strasbourg's main threat. Jae-Sung Lee was out injured for Mainz. Coach Urs Fischer said before the match: "Hoffentlich träumen sie, das gehört dazu." Rayo Vallecano, who beat AEK Athens 3-0, awaits in a potential semifinal. The return leg is next week in Strasbourg.
In the Europa League quarterfinal first leg, SC Freiburg defeated Celta Vigo 3-0 (2-0) before 32,600 fans. Vincenzo Grifo scored spectacularly in the 10th minute, Niklas Beste made it 2-0 in the 32nd, and Matthias Ginter headed the third in the 78th. Former coach Christian Streich attended.
