Koreans in Europe: Mainz's Lee Jae-sung gets first assist of season

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Koreans in Europe: Mainz's Lee Jae-sung gets first assist of season

Published: 03 Mar. 2024, 10:26 Updated: 03 Mar. 2024, 10:35

Mainz's Jonathan Burkardt, right, hugs teammate Lee Jae-sung after scoring the opening goal during the Bundesliga match between 1.FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Mainz, Germany on Saturday. [AP/YONHAP]

Lee Jae-sung recorded his first assist in the Bundesliga this season in Mainz’s 1-1 draw with M'Gladbach on Saturday at MEWA Arena in Mainz, Germany.

Lee, who plays as an attacking midfielder, set things up for Jonathan Burkardt with a tidy pass from the center of the pitch, and Burkardt completed the push from just outside of the box to get on the scoresheet in the 12th minute, putting Mainz up 1-0.

The first assist comes late in the season for Lee, who recorded four assists and seven goals in the 2022-2023 campaign and before that, four goals and three assists in the 2021-2022 season — his Bundesliga debut. Lee so far has two goals across 20 appearances for Mainz this season, though his lighter impact may have to do with his month with the Korean national team at the Asian Cup in Qatar.

While Mainz managed to keep control of the pitch in the beginning, things unraveled for the home side in the second half as a Gladbach goal in the 55th minute tied things up, stealing away Mainz’s momentum from earlier on in the match which seemed to send them into a frantic state.

Mainz manager Bo Henriksen pulled Lee, along with Brajan Gruda, off the pitch in the 67th minute, sending in Karim Onisiwo and Tom Kraus, but neither side got on the scoresheet again.

Mainz sit in No. 17 on the 18-team table and are in danger of being relegated to the 2. Bundesliga, the second division of German football. A point separates them from No. 16 Koln, who have a shot at staying in the top tier through promotion-relegation playoffs. Lee last year extended his contract with Mainz until 2026, so he could see his first season in the second division if the team lose their Bundesliga spot.

Mainz next face league No. 2 and defending champions Bayern Munich for a Korean derby as Lee will meet Korea teammate Kim Min-jae in Munich on Saturday.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]