Mainz manager Bo Henriksen delighted after dramatic win over Fiorentina

The Bundesliga side came from behind to maintain a perfect start in the competition, despite struggling in the domestic league. Fiorentina opened the scoring against the run of play in the first half, with Simon Sohm finishing after a sequence involving Hans Nicolussi Caviglia and Roberto Piccoli.

"It was just one of those magical evenings," Henriksen said. "We demonstrated heart today. When one has heart, anything is possible. Moments like these are what football is all about. We love football because of scenes like this."

Henriksen described the team's response after halftime as evidence of their resilience. "We played a solid opening 15 minutes, then delivered 15 minutes of catastrophe, and then we slowly got back into the game," he said. Mainz equalized in the 70th minute when substitute Benedict Hollerbach pressed high, linked with Nelson Weiper and Lee, and scored his first goal for the club.

The decisive moment came in the 95th minute. Kaishu Sano crossed from the left, and Lee headed home unmarked to complete the comeback. Henriksen said the late winner reflected the team's belief and effort.

Captain Nadiem Amiri echoed the manager's sentiment, highlighting the fans' role in the win. "We didn't play the prettiest football, but we gave everything. The fans' support was incredible," he said.

The result keeps Mainz on top of their Conference League group with three wins from three matches. Fiorentina suffered their first defeat in the competition and will next face Genoa in Serie A. Mainz will travel to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday.