The 43-year-old coach is not counting on another goal fest: "I don't think there will be many goals. The crucial factor is for us to have scored one more than the opposition at the end of the day." According to the Swiss boss, details such as individual decision-making could be decisive.
Seoane primarily sees the strengths of the team under head coach Bo Svensson in their physical and decisive defending and transition play that allows the opposition little space: "It will be a tough challenge as they let you have little scope to express yourself." In addition, with the strike partnership of Karim Onisiwo and Johnson Burkardt, Mainz have two attacking players in the squad who are particularly dangerous in counter-attacks.
Seoane: "ATTACKING TEMPERAMENt"
After the Seoane team found the back of the net a total of 14 times in the last three matches against FC Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart, the Swiss coach is not expecting a defensive battle: "We have a team with a temperament of looking to get forwards." That does make gaps in defence possible but the the requirement remains: "of finding the right balance. We want to play on the front foot but also concede as few goals as possible."
without Lunev, Bellarabi, Azmoun and Baumgartlinger
The Werkself head coach will again have to manage without keeper Andrey Lunev (ankle) and winger Karim Bellarabi who suffered a torn find muscle in training. Sardar Azmoun and Julian Baumgartlinger continue with rehab training and are not available for the match at Mainz. The same applies to the suspended Mitchel Bakker.
two candidates for left-back slot
There is a question mark over Odilon Kossounou. The 21-year-old suffered a pulled muscle at the beginning of the week. "Odilon has made good progress and already taken part in full training." So, it's a question of waiting for the final pre-match training session and then decide whether he is a possibility for the squad. The Ivorian will definitely not be in the starting line-up.
Bakker's suspension leaves the left-back position vacant. Piero Hincapie and Daley Sinkgraven are possibles. "Both players have already played in that position and done their jobs well," said the coach.
