Mainz now have a chance to reflect with a busy full of matches week behind them. After the resounding 4-0 DFB-Pokal defeat at the hands of FC Bayern Munich, FSV quickly had the opportunity to make amends in the Bundesliga away to SC Freiburg. 05er Maxim Leitsch certainly found the short break between the two games to be favourable. “The game in Freiburg came at a good time for us, so we could put the Bayern game behind us. We wanted to give a better performance and we definitely did. It was undoubtedly a good thing for the team that we could play again so soon after,” said the 26-year-old regarding last week’s packed schedule. The defender was able to gain much insight from the 0-0 draw in Freiburg. “When we keep a clean sheet, it always fills the team and of course me personally as a defender with a good feeling. We are always very happy to keep a clean sheet and hope to keep that up going forward. All the better if we score the goals to get the three points as well.”
Reliable back line
With the goalless draw in Freiburg, Mainz managed a second clean sheet away from home in succession. Despite numerous suspensions and injuries forcing an ever-changing back three, this is not something that Leitsch sees as an issue. “There are of course differences depending on who plays beside me in defence but everyone has different strengths and characteristics. I know what I have to focus on myself regardless of who else is in the back line with me and also I know how we can then function well as a defensive unit. That’s why I don’t see the changing line-ups as a major issue.” In recent years, Leitsch himself has often been sidelined due to long-term injuries; however, the defender has started each of FSV’s last five competitive matches, playing the full 90 minutes on four of those occasions. “When I have faith put in me, it gives me a good feeling as a player and makes me believe I can continue to develop. I’m a regular starter at the moment and just keeping working to do everything I can to help my team out on the pitch. I think I’m on the right track at this moment in time,” the 05er explained regarding his current role.
“Need to be cleverer in attack”
Mainz are hoping that their current good form on the road, now unbeaten in nine away matches stretching back to last season, can be translated to their home matches too. Another high-calibre opponent awaits this coming Saturday in the form of Borussia Dortmund. Leitsch is expecting a tricky contest, even if questions have been raised concerning BVB’s recent performances. “It’s clear that Dortmund have a lot of quality in their ranks. But you don’t really know what kind of performance they are going to give right now as they have been rather up and down of late,” said the 26-year-old on the next opponent. “It will be important for us to remain strong at the back and not give much away. We also need to be cleverer in attack and take our opportunities. If we can do that then there’s a good chance of getting a result against Dortmund.” Being from that region and as a long-time VfL Bochum player, Leitsch is particularly motivated to earn some points against BVB. “The games I played for Bochum against BVB were always very special what with the rivalry between the two clubs, so naturally I am all the more motivated for this game.”
In addition to the game against BVB, the last few games of the year will be decisive for determining the feeling in the Mainz camp heading into the short winter break. Leitsch believes FSV are currently on the right track, but warns against getting complacent if comparing with last season. “If you compare the points haul after nine matchdays with last year’s, we are obviously in a better position now, but we certainly don’t want to rest on our laurels. Two teams behind us, Holstein Kiel and St. Pauli, both got three points at the weekend and made up ground. It’s therefore important for us to gain a few more points before the winter break so that we can get off on the right footing in the new year.”
Using the away form as a template
While the 05ers may be unbeaten away from home so far, they are still looking for their first win of the current season at their home of the MEWA ARENA. Leitsch is convinced that his team is capable of doing just that against BVB. “We have to manage to play the same way at home as we are currently doing away. We’ve been very consistent on the road and have always been able to pick up points and have even got two clean sheets in a row. Against Dortmund, a quick goal like the one we scored in May could again help us to turn the game in our favour early on.” The 05ers can always rely on the backing of their fans, both home and away. “The support naturally gives us a huge boost and when we’re in control of a game, it makes us feel really good. Of course, it’s even nicer when it’s at home with those Mainz fans behind us. We can always count on them.”