05ers fail in Youth League
Mainz U19 heroic journey ends against Porto
March 13, 2024, 10:33 p.m
While the professionals in the bottom of the Bundesliga table are fighting to stay in the league, at least Mainz 05’s A youth team is sparking great euphoria. In their journey through the Youth League, the youngsters eliminate Man City and FC Barcelona. However, it’s over in the quarterfinals.
No European triumph for German youth football: After FC Bayern’s U19 team, FSV Mainz 05’s A-youth team also failed in the quarter-finals of the Youth League. Coach Benjamin Hoffmann’s team lost 1:4 (0:2) in the evening at their home stadium on Bruchweg against a very strong FC Porto. The day before, the Bayern youth team had failed against the Greek representative Olympiakos Piraeus (1:3).
However, the team with the German U17 world champions Louis Babatz in goal and Maxim Dal in central defense faced a strong opponent and could have conceded three goals in the first half – two more came after the break when Porto clarified themselves presented. Rodrigo Mora, who was only 16 years old, particularly shone with two goals (32nd/73rd), while Mainz’s Fritz Engel (87th) scored late to make the final score.
The U19 teams of the Champions League participants are always seeded in the Youth League, plus the national title holders. Mainz was therefore qualified as German A-youth champions. While the Mainz professionals are worried about staying in the Bundesliga, the A-youth team experienced one great moment after another. The team eliminated FC Barcelona and Manchester City on the way to the quarterfinals. “The euphoria that we have ignited, in the city, among the fans, in the club,” enthused coach Benjamin Hoffmann before the Porto game, “it’s crazy.”
At the Final Four tournament (April 19th and 22nd) in Nyon, Piraeus will face FC Copenhagen and Porto will face AC Milan in the semi-finals.