Nebel: “It’s definitely going to be a special game”

The Mainz academy product has returned to the club after two years on loan at Karlsruher SC. Having picked up a lot of valuable experience, the youngster has been playing in a new role in recent weeks. The 21-year-old spoke to us ahead of the Bundesliga opener against Union Berlin on Saturday about his return to the MEWA ARENA (“Hopefully it will be sold out”), his memorable first start three years ago and who will get his shirt after the game at the weekend.

You will be back at a near-full MEWA ARENA for the first time in over two years on Saturday. How does that feel?

Nebel: “I’m excited to experience a full stadium here again. I always see a lot of familiar faces of friends I went to school with behind the goal and that’s always special, particularly after so long away. I’ve said a few times now that it feels like coming home. Hopefully it will be sold out.”

You therefore should have a number of people to choose from when you give away your first shirt of the new season?

Nebel: “Actually not on this occasion. My mother will get my shirt. She will be at the ground and definitely deserves it.”

Can you remember your last game at home before your move to Karlsruhe?

Nebel: “It must have been against Frankfurt. There was a great atmosphere to finish the season and it was the final game for several players back then.”

An emotional Daniel Brosinski was one of the players that said goodbye to the fans on that afternoon. You played with him again over the last two years before he ended his career this summer. Was he envious of your return to Mainz?

Nebel: “He had a great career here and achieved so much. He was pleased for me. He visited Mainz on Monday for a coffee and a bite to eat and I’m sure he’ll pop in to Bruchweg now and again when he gets the chance. We have a great relationship and I really enjoyed our two years together in Karlsruhe. He’s a great guy and supported me when I was a really young player in Mainz, which I’ll always be thankful for.”

Bo Svensson also played an important role in your career...

Nebel: “We know each other well, back from my days in the academy. There will be no time for the friendship during the game on Saturday, however, though we’ll maybe have time for a chat after the game. It’s definitely going to be a special game, but we’re desperate to claim all three points.”

FSV also claimed three points on the first matchday, almost exactly three years ago to the day, in a special game against Leipzig. You started the match and Bo was the head coach. It was an unforgettable day for the club – what are your memories like of the game?

Nebel: “It was my first start and that made it special enough. On top of that though, basically half the squad was in isolation. Niklas Tauer and I both started, we were effectively thrown in at the deep end. It was incredible. We were going to be the underdogs against Leipzig anyway, and the situation we found ourselves in just saw us grow closer together as a group, which you could see on the pitch. The fans were also really up for it, even if only 10,000 of them were in the stadium. You rarely play in front of an atmosphere like that. I can remember lots of little things like walking out of the tunnel and the winning goal, but most of all how we fought for every ball and for one another. I’ve got lots of memories from that day, including those slide tackles from Niklas and Hacki. Ultimately, that performance is everything that Mainz 05 is about. I think we’ve got that spirit in our squad still today, also because the coach possesses it as well. An atmosphere like that in a home game can definitely help you play a little bit better. Everybody gave their all and nobody gave up, that’s what you need. That little adrenaline rush in combination with the support of our fans makes that possible.”

How much have you noticed in pre-season that the last two years in the second division at another club were important for you?

Nebel: “I’ve been able to gain lots of confidence after playing so much and that’s made life easier for me on the pitch. Every game gives you experience, you get used to the same situations. You also learn how to deal with success and setbacks. I was also able to learn a lot from great players like Lars Stindl and Jerome Gondorf. I enjoyed my time there, but I’m happy to back here and to try and put what I’ve learnt into practice. I want to continue being successful.”

What does your impending comeback in the Bundesliga at your academy club mean to you?

Nebel: “It’s a special feeling, of course. I was away for two years and obviously asked myself what it will be like. But, I have to say it’s been great since I’ve been back. It doesn’t matter who I’ve seen at Bruchweg, they’ve always been welcoming to me, the coaches, the players and the fans. I’m excited about my chance here and I want to establish myself in the Bundesliga, as I did in the second division. My target has always been to become a regular for Mainz in the Bundesliga.”

Instead of playing in a central role, you’ve been used as a left winger instead in recent weeks. Do you think this is a positive or a negative for your development?

Nebel: “I think my best games in the friendlies came out wide. I can play there and I’ll try my best wherever the coach puts me. Personally, I see my future still in a central role, but that’s not important right now, I just want minutes in the Bundesliga. I feel good, I’m training well and I’m raring to go. We’re all ready to get started.”

What have you made of Bo Henriksen in your first few weeks together?

Nebel: “He’s really honest, and that’s massively important so you know where you stand. Part of that is talking about some uncomfortable truths at times, however I personally can deal with that. Knowing what you need to do better can be a push in the right direction. The coach is generally satisfied with me and has said I should carry on doing what I’m doing at the moment. One advantage I have is that I can play in several different positions. I wasn’t in the starting XI at KSC straight away, I had to remain patient. Learning how to deal with that is a process, as I now know all about. I will try to make life as difficult as possible for the coach so that he eventually plays me.”

What will be the most important thing against Union at the weekend?

Nebel: “We want to start well and pick up all three points. To do that, we’ll have to do a lot of things well. Union are known for their fighting style, covering lots of ground, getting stuck in and having a really well-organised defence. Those are things that Bo Svensson also stands for. It will be a physical and really intense game. We have to be prepared and ready for that. I think we are – we showed we could give our all for 120 minutes in the Pokal game. We obviously want to play some good football too, but we just have to find the right balance.”