Henriksen: “Home games are always a great occasion”

The 05ers welcome FC St. Pauli to the MEWA ARENA for the first time on Saturday, with a party atmosphere guaranteed on Mainz’s 2025 carnival matchday (kick-off 15:30 CET). 

FSV last hosted the Kiezkicker way back on the final day of the 2010/11 league season at the Bruchwegstadion. The fixture marked the 05ers’ final match at their former home ground.

St. Pauli are set to return to Mainz nearly 14 years on, currently occupying 14th place in the table with 21 points to their name, providing them with a seven-point buffer above the relegation zone. Head coach Alexander Blessin’s team fell to a narrow home defeat last time out, losing 1-0 to SC Freiburg. Mainz’s previous match saw them end a run of three straight away defeats when they took all three points home from Heidenheim following a 2-0 victory. That moved the 05ers onto a tally of 35 points and up to sixth in the standings.

Head coach Bo Henriksen spoke in his press conference about...

...team news for Saturday: “We will have to wait and see whether Robin Zentner will be fit. He was able to play around 25 minutes in training yesterday and we will make a decision either following today’s session or tomorrow morning. Stefan Bell will also miss the game but otherwise everyone else is fit and firing.”

...the back line: “Our defensive work over the last few games has been really, really impressive. Moritz Jenz has made the next step up in terms of being a figurehead in that department and playing him alongside Danny da Costa and Dominik Kohr means we possess a back three with plenty of pace.”

...the possibility of Dominik Kohr making his 300th Bundesliga appearance: “To feature in 300 games in the Bundesliga is not only impressive but also the sign of a player’s quality. Dominik is obviously a great footballer but he is also mentally strong and full of energy. He is the complete professional, who, at the age of 31, looks as fit as a 20-year-old and never seems to be injured. He is extremely important for this team.”

...the front three of Nelson Weiper, Jonny Burkardt and Paul Nebel: “We changed up our tactics a bit going forward against Heidenheim as we wanted to make more runs in behind. The expectation was that the opponent would press high so by playing with a strike partnership in Jonny and Nelly, we were able to get the ball up the pitch. Paul therefore played a slightly more defensive role and that worked well. Tomorrow is a different game though and we also have a decision to make since Jae-sung Lee’s return to full fitness.”

...tactics for taking on St. Pauli: “When we played St. Pauli away, we scored two goals on the break. The primary objective for tomorrow is to produce good attacking play both in the half-spaces as well as in behind. We know that the opposition will set up with a back three so that should present us with some space to work in. Our job is to find the right balance in our play and we will prepare our plan of action in our final training session ahead of what we hope will be a tricky game for St. Pauli tomorrow.”

...the upcoming opponent: “St. Pauli are a good side and we are fully aware of the quality they possess. They defend well which is demonstrated by the fact that they have conceded the third fewest goals in the league this season. We will need to change up our game a bit to combat that and also ensure that we ourselves do not allow them to score. If we can do that then I believe we will win the game. Nevertheless, St. Pauli have steadily improved over the course of the season and only narrowly lost to Freiburg last time out so we are expecting a tough test.”

...the home fans: “Playing at home always makes a difference but Saturday will be extra special for being the 2025 carnival matchday. However, our sole focus lies on getting the three points. No doubt, the fans will ensure that there is a raucous atmosphere. Home games are always a great occasion and we haven’t lost at the MEWA ARENA since the cup game against Bayern München in October.”