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| AFP Yonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Mainz midfielder Lee Jae-sung (33) is scheduled to compete in Europe for the first time in his career.
Mainz drew 2-2 in the final round of the 34th round of the German Bundesliga in 2024-2025 season against Leverkusen at Meva Arena in Mainz, Germany on the 18th (Korea time). Mainz, who secured 52 points by sharing one point with Leverkusen, beat RB Leipzig (51 points) to sixth place, confirming their advance to the conference league next season.
Mainz was mentioned for the possibility of advancing to the European Champions League (UCL) for the first time in the club's history by rising to fourth place along with the rise in the middle of this season, but unfortunately failed due to a slump at the end of the season. However, he succeeded in advancing to the conference league, and in the next season, he will advance to the European competition again in nine years after participating in the Europa League in the 2016-2017 season.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Lee Jae-sung, a key player for Mainz, remained on the starting list without fail in the final match. Mainz led the first half. In the 15th minute of the first half, Nadhim Amiri finished the linked attack at the gate, starting with Jonathan Burkardt's pass. However, if Burkarta's offside was pointed out, the score was not recognized. In the 30th minute of the first half, when Antony Casi's shot flowed against the defense in the attack, which began with Lee Jae-sung's pressure, Lee Jae-sung pushed the ball back. However, Lee Jae-sung's position was pointed out as offside, and the score was canceled once again. After repeated attempts, Mainz scored the first goal to take the lead. Paul Nebel's shot, which received Amiri's pass from the penalty box in the 35th minute of the first half, hit the defense and shook the Leverkusen net.
In the second half, Leverkusen fought back. In the fourth minute of the second half, Andreas Hantzolsen committed a foul while blocking Patrik Shik during the defense of the penalty area, and the referee declared a penalty. Shik, who was a kicker, made a neat success. Soon after, he scored a come-from-behind goal. In the 9th minute of the second half, Shik finished Alessi Garcia's cross with a header to cut the Mainz goal.
Lee Jae-sung's performance saved Mainz from the brink of defeat. Lee Jae-sung showed his concentration on the ball in the opponent's penalty area in the 15th minute of the second half, inducing the opponent's defense Artur to foul. The referee declared a penalty after VAR review, and Burkart, who played kicker, scored and brought the game back to square one. Along with the equalizer, Mainz finished in a draw to advance to the conference league.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Lee Jae-sung is scheduled to take the stage in his first European competition next season along with Mainz's advance to the conference league. It is more valuable because it was a direct achievement as the core of the team. Lee Jae-sung, who joined the Bundesliga 2 (second division) Holstein Kiel in 2018 and began adapting to the German stage, gradually built his career on the European stage. Lee Jae-sung, who entered the Bundesliga wearing a Mainz uniform ahead of the 2021-2022 season, has consistently performed well, but he has begun to show even better performance under coach Bohenlixen, who took over last season. Mainz's offense and midfield, built by Burkard Amiri Nebel along with Lee Jae-sung, showed excellent destructive power. This season, he also showed outstanding performance. He has accumulated the most offensive points since entering the Bundesliga with seven goals and six assists in 34 league games. His outstanding performance came back as a result of his dream of advancing to the European competition.
Hong Hyun-seok, who played in Mainz with Lee Jae-sung this season, also succeeded in advancing to the conference league for the third time in his career. Hong Hyun-seok, who moved from Hent to Mainz ahead of this season, received several opportunities as a starter shortly after the opening, but had a difficult time as he was gradually pushed out of the main competition. If Mainz plays until next season's conference league, he will be able to get a little more opportunity.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
