Mainz have just set a new club record after securing their tenth game in a row without defeat in all competitions. The 05ers came out of top in Kiel, comfortably winning 3-0 to ensure the points travelled home with them. Stefan Bell, who was once again deployed as the central centre-back in the three-man rear guard, judged Sunday’s performance as an exceptionally solid one. “I felt our performance in Kiel was very good. We were focused and consistent from start to finish and did exactly what we set out to do. The two quick goals at the start of each half also helped us to prevent Kiel from getting into the game in the first place.” More of the same will be the aim against Hoffenheim on Sunday (kick-off 15:30 CET).
"The fans know how important they are"
Mainz were able to count on some raucous support from the travelling fans once again, which was not to be taken lightly after the 600 km trip to Kiel. “It’s really special that we had well over 1,000 fans with us in Kiel, and on a Sunday too. They know how important they are for us with their support as well as with their reaction to our current good performances. It was all the more pleasing and important that we were then able to win the game at the weekend,” said Bell, who played the full 90 minutes for the third time in a row after the first half of 2024 had been a tricky period. “The first six months of the year were very difficult for me because of a long and enforced absence due to health reasons. Nobody knew exactly when or how I would make my return in this new season. That’s why I was very happy that I was able to get some minutes from the off,” Bell explained regarding the opening fixtures of the current campaign.
“I’ve been able to play a fair bit again in recent weeks. My individual performances along with those of the team have been good recently, so I’ve taken the chance to establish myself somewhat. However, the starting line-up is not set in stone. The coaching staff base that off good performances so even as a regular starter you have to prove yourself again and again each session,” said the 33-year-old defender.
The "radio" at the back
Bell’s teammates also value his defensive role greatly. Danny da Costa, for example, described him as the “radio” that operates alongside him for 90 minutes, giving the directives in the back line, which is something that comes naturally to Bell. “I would say that, as the central player, you have the widest and fullest view of the game, so it’s my job to sort things out at the back and to communicate with my teammates. More than anything, I tell the rest of the defence where to position themselves while we’re being counter-attacked and I also communicate with the midfield. That’s how I like to go about things.’
For the match in Kiel, the head coach named an unchanged defensive line-up compared to that which started the home victory over Dortmund. To do so had been virtually impossible in recent times due to several suspensions and injuries. “Quite simply, when we get that consistency with the players in defence, it all becomes a bit more automatic as a result. We were forced to make a number of changes throughout the first few games of the season, with a different defence starting each week. However, with the planned match scenarios that we’ve worked on, it was easier to compensate for the rotations so we’ve been able to cope in the meantime,” said Bell in reference to the defensive constellation.
A combination that counts
Recent results are a clear indication of the 05ers’ upturn in performances. Mainz have now gone four games unbeaten, collecting eight out of a possible twelve points in the process. “We have been very solid in the past few matches and have been able to consistently earn points. We were lacking consistency before that though and we were giving away more at the back. Right now, we’re demonstrating a good combination of high and effective pressing up top while remaining stable in defence, not affording our opponents much at all. We are also on the right track in terms of getting more possession which has led to more self-confidence,” analysed Bell in his reflection on the 11 Bundesliga matches played to this point. The defender can only speculate about the exact cause for the improved displays: “I don't think there was a specific point at which a lot changed. The cup clash with Bayern was hard to take, because we were really poor in the first half in particular. Perhaps the game sharpened our senses a little, highlighting the mistakes we were making in defence. I think it’s more of a fluid process, though, and we’re doing things very well at the moment.”
Two in-form sides go head-to-head
The upcoming match-up with Hoffenheim presents an opportunity to keep the good run going. Bell views the next opponent as an ambitious one, coming off the back of a strong showing in their first game since a change on the touchline. “Hoffenheim possess individual quality in their ranks, want to play an attractive style of football and aim to be in the top half of the league come the end of the season. They visit us with a new coach, having won their last game in spectacular fashion against Leipzig. I’m excited to see how their style of play has changed and how they’ll perform against us,” the 33-year-old told, concerning the challenge to arrive next at the MEWA ARENA. Before the international break, Mainz secured their first home win of the campaign, defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-1. It was a special moment for Bell. “It’s always important to get your first home win early on in the season but this time it took a little longer,” said the defender about the long wait for the first win at home. “The fact we were able to get those three points against an opponent as tough as BVB was of course all the better, though. Nevertheless, there are always going to be periods in which we are better either at home or on the road. People often ask why, but there is no particular reason. The results just depend on how each individual game pans out.”
Bell is much happier now that first home win is in the bag. “That did us a lot of good. For me personally, I hadn’t experienced a home win for a long while due to my illness early this year. Those three points gave us such good feeling and I think it did for the fans in the stadium as well.” The aim is now to build on that this Sunday coming against Hoffenheim by securing home victory number two.