Conference League: RC Strasbourg overturns Mainz and qualifies for first European semi

Strasbourg is now firmly in the European spotlight. For the first time in their history, RCSA will play a European cup semi-final after overturning Mainz in the Conference League quarter-final second leg (4-0). Defeated 2-0 in Germany in the first leg, the Alsace team took a striking revenge on their home turf on Thursday, April 16, during a masterful quarter-final that validates Racing’s ambitions of winning the competition after finishing first in the regular season. Before that, RC Strasbourg will have to overcome Spain’s Rayo Vallecano in the semi-finals, a first at the European level in the club’s history.

Completely outplayed in the first leg, Racing did not wait until the last half-hour to kickstart their game this time. Right from the start, the Alsace players showcased their football skills, dominating the first half both in the air and physically, leaving no room for the Germans. Although it took until the 25th minute to see the first significant Strasbourg chance – a magnificent scissor kick by Diego Moreira, saved by Daniel Batz – the 35,000 passionate fans at the Meinau then witnessed an outstanding performance. Starting with Sebastian Nanasi opening the scoring point-blank on a Ben Chilwell cross (1-0, 26th).

The Strasbourg orchestra then played out their script flawlessly, shining particularly on the second goal of the night: a header by right-back Abdoul Ouattara, playing as a number nine after a superb team move starting from the Strasbourg goalkeeper (2-0, 35th). The Alsace defender then came very close to a fantastic brace with a scissor kick volley just wide of Mainz’s goal (39th), before Daniel Batz denied Julio Enciso (41st). Impressive as a team, and calm despite their young squad and the importance of the night, Strasbourg could almost have regrets at halftime.

Slightly shaken up at the start of the second half, without being truly threatened, the Alsace players found a second wind in the last half-hour to avoid extra time. This even though Emmanuel Emegha missed a penalty (64th), the first favorable decision for Racing that evening, as the referee Joao Pinheiro, could have sent off Dominik Kohr early in the match for an elbow on Diego Moreira and shown him a second yellow for the foul that led to the penalty. These refereeing mistakes did not derail Strasbourg’s focus.

Just three minutes after this miss, Julio Enciso scored the qualifying goal after a Martial Godo assist (3-0, 69th). The Alsace crowd, on fire, erupted five minutes later when Emmanuel Emegha sealed the deal with a header from a Julio Enciso cross (4-0, 74th). Safe and sound, Racing finished the match in a jubilant stadium chanting “We are in the semis”.

For the first time in their history, Strasbourg reaches the last four of a European competition, forty-six years after their Champions League quarter-final loss to Ajax Amsterdam. Especially, given their performance against Mainz, and throughout the competition, Racing can dream big and hope to reach the final on May 27 in Leipzig. To do so, they will have to get past Rayo Vallecano, who defeated AEK Athens, on April 30 and May 7. The other semi-final will see Crystal Palace from England face Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine.