Our next opponents: Deadly duo on form up front

Position

Mainz 05 went into this season with high ambitions. The Rheinhessen side enjoyed a successful pre-season with a significantly strengthened and rejuvenated squad. Having finished tenth last season, many people believe Mainz are capable of qualifying for Europe again this season. And after the first four matchdays, seven points and sixth place confirm this positive assessment. Two wins, one draw and one defeat, with a goal difference of 10 to 6: this marks Mainz’s best start to a Bundesliga season in four years; ten goals after four matches also set a new club record for this stage of the season. In the DFB Pokal, the team led by Urs Fischer have also reached the second round, where Mainz will face VfL Bochum on 27 October.

Mainz have been particularly strong away from home so far, picking up six of their seven points on the road. A 0–0 draw at home against SC Paderborn was followed by a 5–0 win away at Hamburger SV. They then suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Rhine-Main derby. But in their last match before the extended international break, the ‘05ers’ bounced back with a spectacular 4–3 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Mainz 05 secured victory despite falling behind early on and after Gladbach levelled. “Our determination and mentality were the key to getting back into the game time and again,” said Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert.

Mainz, who won 3-0 in a friendly against third-division side SV Waldhof Mannheim last weekend, are sure to put up a fight and show their character again this Saturday. At home, however, the ‘05ers’ are still waiting for their first win of the season. Across seasons, Mainz have failed to win any of their last five Bundesliga home matches. Their last victory against the Werkself in front of their own fans was four and a half years ago. In general, Bayer 04 are not exactly among Mainz’s favourite opponents with only two wins in their last 17 Bundesliga clashes with the Black and Reds.

“But now it’s all about fully focusing on Leverkusen, the next three points and our first home win,” said striker Phillip Tietz in a recent interview with kicker. “We’re well aware of Bayer 04’s immense quality. Of course, they’re the clear favourites in this match. But we don’t care who we’re up against. We’ll stand united as a team and do everything in our power to clock up the three points.”

Personnel

Following the long Bundesliga break, Fischer will once again have almost a full squad to choose from for the game against Werkself. The only players still set to miss Saturday’s match are goalkeeper Robin Zentner, centre-back Dominik Kohr and the two attacking players Otto Ruoppi and Silas. Zentner is on the road to recovery with Alexander Schwolow currently standing in for the first-choice keeper. Playmaker Paul Nebel, on the other hand, has returned to full training following a two-month absence due to a thigh injury and he could be in the matchday squad for the first time this season against the Werkself. Captain Silvan Widmer has also returned following knee problems. The same goes for new signing Fabio Gruber (knee), who secured a regular place in the Mainz central defence straight away following his move from Bundesliga 2 side FC Nürnberg.

Fischer has prioritised continuity not only in the back three over the past three league matches. Alongside Gruber, Kacper Potulski and Stefan Posch have consistently featured in defence recently. The latter joined Mainz on loan from Italian top-flight side Como 1907 during the last Rückrunde and quickly established himself as a key player. Fischer has also relied on a well-rehearsed formation in the five-man midfield and in attack over the past few weeks. Philipp Mwene (left) and Anthony Caci occupied the wing positions. In the centre were defensive midfielder Kaishu Sano, playmaker Nadiem Amiri and South Korean Jae-sung Lee, who played 45 minutes for his national team against Uzbekistan (2–0) on Tuesday. Former FC Köln player Eric Martel or the now-fit Nebel could also be options for the starting XI on Saturday.

Fischer is also spoilt for choice in attack. Sheraldo Becker and Phillip Tietz have formed a perfectly harmonious strike partnership so far. But new signing Ransford Königsdörffer (Hamburger SV) and Benedict Hollerbach have also impressed recently, each scoring a goal against Mannheim.

Problems

Having kept a clean sheet in their first three matches, Mainz have conceded a total of six goals in their last two outings. That does not exactly suggest a solid defence. Following the 3-1 defeat in Frankfurt, Fischer explicitly criticised the lack of the basics, noting that Eintracht had won too many challenges and second balls. Furthermore, key players from last season such as Amiri, Caci, Mwene and Lee have not yet reached their best form. Mainz 05 have yet to really impress, particularly at home at the MEWA ARENA.

Performers

Of Mainz’s ten goals to date, six have been scored by Tietz (4) and Becker (2). The latter has also set up three goals and, thanks to his tremendous pace, regularly breaks into the space behind the defence. The strike partnership has been in impressive form for weeks. Tietz explained why the pair work so well together: “Our runs are perfectly synchronised at the moment. And as players, we complement each other very well: he’s the small, quick one who gets in behind. I’m the tall one who wins the challenges, holds up the ball and distributes it.” The Werkself should also be wary of Mainz set-pieces: FSV have already scored four goals from set-pieces – currently a joint-top tally in the league.

Quick transitions, a strong mentality, aggressive pressing – all of these are fundamental to the Mainz style of play. The team has shown it can not only cope well with personnel setbacks such as the injuries to key players Zentner, Kohr and Nebel, but is also capable of responding effectively after a poor performance.