Mainz 05 vs. Heidenheim 0-2
Niko Bungert: “We expected that it would be tricky to create goal-scoring opportunities. Heidenheim remained compact and that’s always unpleasant to play against. We just didn’t offer enough pressure and the red card obviously didn’t help either. We then missed the chance to get back into the game when Dorsch got sent off. In the end, Heidenheim deserved to win. I thought we were too hesitant and too rushed at times, very rarely managing to have control. It was precisely the game that Heidenheim would have been hoping for.”
Jonny Burkardt: “From the first whistle, it just wasn’t enough from any of us, me included. Heidenheim were quicker to the second balls and better in one-on-one duels. That was the deciding factor for me today. That’s actually what we aim to be best at, so that’s really disappointing. We were too sloppy and everyone was off a few per cent, especially energy-wise. That can’t happen again, so we have to get more into the game next time around.”
Phillipp Mwene: “We let ourselves be put under pressure far too easily. They didn’t even play the best pressing game but we gave the ball away so quickly. We had a couple players missing today but now we need to screw our heads back on and give a very different showing next week against St. Pauli. We need to realise that we can’t just start playing well when our situation becomes precarious like with the relegation battle last season. Giving 80 or 85 per cent effort will never be enough for us.”
