Mainz do not have much time to digest the 2-0 defeat against Leipzig, as the next home game for the 05ers approaches fast, set to take place on Friday evening (kick-off 20:30 CEST). Borussia Mönchengladbach visit the MEWA ARENA as FSV welcome their neighbours in the table, who currently boast a point more after gaining nine from their opening seven matches. Midfielder Nadiem Amiri sees it as a positive that the encounter has been scheduled for Friday evening. “I’m delighted that we get to play the next game so soon. Playing under the floodlights is always special, especially at home. There will be a host of Gladbach fans travelling to Mainz along which along with our supporters will create a vivid atmosphere,” Amiri predicts with high expectations for the clash. “I hope we can start well to give ourselves the upper hand.”
Tricky start to the season
Amiri’s first full season as 05er began this August. The 27-year-old, who celebrates his birthday on Sunday, made the switch to Mainz in January 2024. The midfielder also views the relative upheaval of players at FSV in the summer with a matter-of-fact mindset. “When new players arrive, it’s always a challenge at the beginning getting to know each other and making things click on the pitch. Nevertheless, I feel that things are improving day to day. We’re becoming more and more in tune with each other on the field,” said Amiri looking back on the early phase of the season, which has already thrown FSV a number of challenges due to injuries and suspensions. “We’ve just been really unlucky with how many players we have had miss games at the beginning of the season. Nobody deliberately tries to get suspended or injured. It’s just part of football and something we have to learn from it in order to get through this period together.”
Amiri is satisfied with how the team is operating for the most part, but one thing is still lacking for him. “I’m really missing winning at home and celebrating three points with our fans. That’s something we definitely need to improve on. We’re putting in decent performances away from home right now, but not yet managing to find our rhythm at home,” said the midfielder regarding the current state of affairs on the team’s own patch. He also has the most recent defeat in mind. “Leipzig were clever and put in a very good performance. Of course, we also need to be prepared for the games in which we have more possession. We need to become create more options for ourselves in the opposition final third so that we can reward ourselves for good play going forward,” said Amiri, looking ahead to the next challenges that awaits. “We are all waiting for that first win at home. The fans are demanding it and we obviously expect better from ourselves. There are no more excuses. Only a win will do on Friday.”
Excitement ahead of big cup clash
With eight points earned from seven games, Mainz currently occupy a place in mid-table, however this is less secure than at first appears the case and could change at any time. Amiri therefore views the upcoming games as very significant in terms of establishing form heading towards the winter break. “If we don’t start scoring regularly between now and the end of the year, there’s a high risk that we’ll begin to slide down the table. That is obviously something we want to avoid so we need to start well against Gladbach.”
Looking ahead to next week, another spectacle at the MEWA ARENA takes place just a few days after the Bundesliga contest with Gladbach. The 05ers host FC Bayern München in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. Amiri is looking ahead to that match with great anticipation. “If you want to really achieve, you have to beat the best teams. That’s obvious. I’m really looking forward to the game against Bayern München, but right now my focus is only on the Gladbach game. We have to win on Friday to boost our confidence and then we can switch focus to the cup.”