Sigma Olomouc 0-0 Mainz: Advantage Mainz in Conference League tie | OneFootball

Mainz had a slow start in their first-ever Round of 16 game in the continental stage. Urs Fischer’s side were accompanied by 650 traveling fans for their historic match, without accounting for those who travelled to Czechia without tickets.

However, they seemed to struggle with the pitch condition in the opening exchanges of the game. Despite their impressive display in possession, the hosts failed to create a clear-cut chance in the first-half.

At the other end, Silas’ goal was chalked off due to an offside in the buildup in the 24th minute. The Congolese attacker was flagged offside himself moments later, although Jan Koutny pulled a decent save this time around.

Silas showed signs of a career rebirth since joining Mainz in January, but he needed a stretcher as he faced yet another injury setback in the second-half. Substitute Nelson Weiper had a couple of decent chances, but the young striker lacked the cutting edge.

Suddenly, Sigma enjoyed their best spell of the game in the final ten minutes. Michal Beran tried to score his first goal for the club with their best chance before Batz made the save of the night from Péter Baráth’s effort. At the other end, the lively Armindo Sieb denied an injury-time winner as an offside in the buildup caused another cancellation.

Mainz are the first German club to progress to the knockout stages of the Conference League. After their battling display to earn a goalless draw away from home, they’ll now be the clear favorites to go through to the quarter-final.

In a relegation six-pointer with Werder Bremen, Mainz will face another away game before the return leg next Thursday. Sigma are battling to finish in the Championship Play-off spots in the Chance Liga as they play at home against Karviná.