Mainz strikers ruled out for months after conference league injury

Mainz 05 faces a significant setback as striker Silas suffers a serious leg injury during the Europa ConferenceLeague match against Sigma Olomouc, potentially sidelining him for months.

Silas suffers shin and calf fracture in olomouc clash

The 27-year-old winter signing sustained a fractured left tibia and fibula in the 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Round of 16. Initial reports from the Czech capital indicated the injury occurred during a challenge with Matus Maly, without any apparent foul play.

Sporting director Niko Bungert expressed his disappointment, noting Silas's history of injuries. "It's very bitter because he's a very positive guy who has had a lot of injuries in the past," Bungert stated.

Silas, who joined Mainz from VfB Stuttgart in January and has scored one goal in eight Bundesliga appearances, was making his debut in European competition. The club confirmed he will undergo further surgery in Mainz following observation in Olomouc.

Despite the blow, Mainz coach Urs Fischer remains cautiously optimistic about the return leg. "We still have a workable starting position and have everything in our hands with a full house," Fischer commented. "We need an improvement in performance, but the players gave it their all, and there are days when things don't go your way."

The Bundesliga fixture against Werder Bremen presents a new challenge for Mainz, but the focus will quickly shift to the return match against Sigma Olomouc. The team's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time in their history are now considerably diminished.