Mainz sign off Europa League campaign with a win
Europa League debutants 1. FSV Mainz 05 recorded a 2-0 win over FK Qäbälä in their final match of their European campaign. In front of 12,860 fans at the OPEL ARENA, Alexander Hack (29’) and Pablo De Blasis (40’) scored to secure Mainz’s first ever home win in European competition. The victory over bottom placed Qäbälä also ensured that Martin Schmidt’s side picked up €360,000 as a win bonus.
Mainz went into their final group stage clash knowing that progression to the knockout stages of the Europa League was not possible, following their 0-0 draw with St. Etienne two weeks ago. The French side’s superior head-to-head record over the Schmidt’s side ensured that their final match would be a dead rubber. St. Etienne made it out of the group alongside Belgian side RSC Anderlecht.
Group winners Schalke lose in Salzburg
Schalke suffered their first defeat of the Europa League group stages, losing 2-0 away to FC Salzburg. Markus Weinzierl made a number of changes to his side, in what was a dead rubber for both teams. However, the defeat didn’t change the Royal Blues’ position in Group I, as they sealed progression to the knockout stages as group winners.
With one eye on Sunday’s Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen (17:30 CET), Weinzierl rotated his squad for the game in Salzburg, making ten changes to the team that lost 2-1 to RB Leipzig at the weekend. These included rests for goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann, defensive leader Naldo, while Germany internationals Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka didn’t even travel to Austria. Only captain Benedikt Höwedes kept his place in the side.
Xavier Schlager (22’) and Josip Radosevic (90+4’) scored the goals for the Austrians, who knew in advance of the game that they couldn’t qualify for the last 32 of the competition. Schalke could face record English champions Manchester United, amongst other teams in Monday’s draw for the knockout stages. The first leg ties will be played either on the 16th or 23rd February 2017.
Mainz sign off Europa League campaign with a win
Europa League debutants 1. FSV Mainz 05 recorded a 2-0 win over FK Qäbälä in their final match of their European campaign. In front of 12,860 fans at the OPEL ARENA, Alexander Hack (29’) and Pablo De Blasis (40’) scored to secure Mainz’s first ever home win in European competition. The victory over bottom placed Qäbälä also ensured that Martin Schmidt’s side picked up €360,000 as a win bonus.
Mainz went into their final group stage clash knowing that progression to the knockout stages of the Europa League was not possible, following their 0-0 draw with St. Etienne two weeks ago. The French side’s superior head-to-head record over the Schmidt’s side ensured that their final match would be a dead rubber. St. Etienne made it out of the group alongside Belgian side RSC Anderlecht.
Group winners Schalke lose in Salzburg
Schalke suffered their first defeat of the Europa League group stages, losing 2-0 away to FC Salzburg. Markus Weinzierl made a number of changes to his side, in what was a dead rubber for both teams. However, the defeat didn’t change the Royal Blues’ position in Group I, as they sealed progression to the knockout stages as group winners.
With one eye on Sunday’s Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen (17:30 CET), Weinzierl rotated his squad for the game in Salzburg, making ten changes to the team that lost 2-1 to RB Leipzig at the weekend. These included rests for goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann, defensive leader Naldo, while Germany internationals Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka didn’t even travel to Austria. Only captain Benedikt Höwedes kept his place in the side.
Xavier Schlager (22’) and Josip Radosevic (90+4’) scored the goals for the Austrians, who knew in advance of the game that they couldn’t qualify for the last 32 of the competition. Schalke could face record English champions Manchester United, amongst other teams in Monday’s draw for the knockout stages. The first leg ties will be played either on the 16th or 23rd February 2017.
