**Mainz 05 Defeated Union Berlin 2-1: Barreiro and Lee Jae-sung Score to Ease Relegation Pressure**
**Mainz 05 secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Union Berlin on Saturday, a result that provided a much-needed boost to their relegation hopes.** The match, played at the Rhein-Neckar Arena, saw Mainz take an early lead through a well-taken goal by Kevin Barreiro in the 25th minute. Barreiro, who has been a surprise package this season, capitalized on a defensive error to slot the ball into the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
**The second goal arrived just over an hour into the game, thanks to the clinical finish of Lee Jae-sung.** The South Korean midfielder, who has been instrumental in Mainz’s recent resurgence, received a perfectly weighted pass from Bojan Raduljic and fired a powerful shot into the top corner. This goal not only extended Mainz’s lead but also showcased the team’s ability to break down a compact Union Berlin defense.
**Union Berlin, despite their best efforts, managed to pull one back in the 88th minute through a header by Anthony Modeste.** The visitors had dominated possession in the second half and came close to equalizing, but Mainz’s defense held firm to preserve their slender lead. The match ended with a 2-1 scoreline, a result that was met with relief by the Mainz faithful.
**Post-match, Mainz manager Martin Schmidt praised his side’s resilience and ability to handle the pressure.** “We knew this was a critical game for us, and the players showed great character to dig deep when Union pushed hard in the second half,” Schmidt said. “Kevin and Jae-sung were outstanding, and the entire team worked tirelessly to get the result we needed.”
**The win moves Mainz to 12th place in the Bundesliga table, providing a temporary reprieve from the relegation zone.** While there is still a long way to go, the victory will give the players and fans a much-needed confidence boost as they prepare for the next set of fixtures.
**For Union Berlin, the defeat means they drop to 7th place, but the performance of their young squad shows they remain a threat in the league.** However, Mainz’s defensive solidity and clinical finishing proved too much for the visitors on this occasion.
**In summary, Mainz 05’s 2-1 victory over Union Berlin was a pivotal moment in their season.** The goals from Barreiro and Lee Jae-sung, coupled with a solid defensive performance, ensured that the pressure of relegation is temporarily alleviate. As the Bundesliga season continues, Mainz will look to build on this win and push further up the table.