Our next opponents: Svensson's joy at greater competition

Position

Mainz have made a really good start to the season, their best in four years. With seven points from three games – the team under coach Bo Svensson are currently in the top five in the Bundesliga. And the amazing thing is: While Mainz found it difficult to pick up points on the road last season, they have won all of the three matches away from home this term. The 3-0 opening victory in the first round of the DFB Cup at Erzgebirge Aue was followed by a 2-0 win at VfL Bochum in the Bundesliga and the third at FC Augsburg, the bogey team they have always lost to in the last six years. Where will that lead to if FSV's proven strength at home (fourth place in the home form table in 2021/22) is as reliable as the away form? "So, we can do it," said sporting director Martin Schmidt after picking up three points at Augsburg and he went on to praise the team performance, the dominance in possession and, above all, the mentality to also want to win away. The fact the winner scored by substitute Jae-Sung Lee only came in the third minute of added time is an expression of desire, aggression and ambition for Schmidt.

All is going well for Mainz. Bo Svensson, a former player at FSV, has achieved a lot since taking over as coach in January 2021. The 43-year-old Dane saved the club from relegation with a sensational second half of the season in 2021 and in the following campaign led his team close to European qualification by finishing eighth. And the start of the current season has also gone well.

Personnel

The coach is enjoying a luxurious situation in terms of personnel. "There are more options and more questions for us than before game after game this year," said Svensson with pleasure about the performance-enhancing competition within his team. Mainz have lost captain Moussa Niakhaté, who joined Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, and Jeremiah St. Juste, who now plays for Sporting CP. However, new signing Maxim Leitsch has done an excellent job in filling the empty position in the back three alongside Alexander Hack and Stefan Bell. The former U21 international came from VfL Bochum and after 14 years at that club is now looking "to take the next step in Germany." "He's a player we need and he throws himself into every challenge, provides stability and has quickly fitted in," enthused teammate Dominik Kohr. The former Bayer 04 player is an uncompromising enforcer in front of the defence and a longstanding leader in the team.

Another former Leverkusen player has not yet played for Mainz this season due to injury. Danny da Costa should however be fit again soon and could again become one of the key players on the right side of the team. The new captain Silvan Widmer and Edimilson Fernandez really feel at home there at the moment. Their counterparts on the left flank are the Frenchman Anthony Caci and the Spaniard Aaron. He missed a penalty in the 2-1 win against Augsburg – the first after 36 converted penalties in succession for Mainz since 2013 – but he did provide the assist for the winner scored by Jae-Sung Lee (30) in added time. The experienced Korean, young international Anton Stach (23) plus new signing Angelo Fulgini from French top-flight club Angers are the first choices in attacking midfield. But Svensson also has options here in the shape of Aymen Barkok and Leandro Barreiro. The situation in attack is equally good. After recovering from a muscle injury, Jonathan Burkardt (22) made his comeback against FC Augsburg. Karim Onisiwo (30) is in top form having scored three of the four goals for Mainz this season. Delano Burgzorg (23), youngster Marlon Mustapha (21) and Marcus Ingvartsen (26) have also impressed in their appearances. The latter is ruled out on Saturday due to a knee injury. Otherwise Svensson has a full squad to choose from.

Performers

The team from Rheinhessen last season had the fourth best defence in the league with 45 goals conceded. And Mainz have only conceded two goals in four games this term and have only had eight chances and one clear-cut opportunity against them so far. That is currently the best return in the league, which is based on Mainz being uncompromising in challenges in direct duels. The biggest strength of Mainz of quick transition after winning the ball to push forward into the danger zone did not function as planned in the 0-0 draw at home to Union Berlin.

Problems

The defence is doing a good job. But Svensson wants his team "to defend higher up the pitch on principle". "Not only to concede less goals but also to exert more pressure on opponents to keep them away from our goal." The fact that two extremely quick defenders are no longer available in Niakhaté and St. Juste could make Mainz more susceptible to counter-attacks. Svensson knows: "That means something for the way we play. We're in development at the moment."

Prediction

Mainz 05 are in a good position for their fourteenth season in the Bundesliga. The increased performance level should ideally ensure greater quality on the pitch. The good start should give Mainz a boost for the forthcoming matches. "But it's just the beginning, I have confidence in my team improving in certain areas," said coach Bo Svensson. And central defender Alexander Hack found the first three matches intense, "but there weren't any fantastic football moments." Is that to be expected against Bayer 04 on Saturday for the family matchday at the Mewa Arena? Hack's main demand is "to stand up to Leverkusen with all our passion to get a result at home." If the new strength away and the old home form coincide then Mainz may be able to dream of European qualification once again.