Profis 15.12.2023 - 10:00 Uhr
Perseverance should lead to success
The 05ers aim to play the way that they have been in the past weeks, but be more clinical and claim all three points in the final home fixture of the calendar year against Heidenheim.
One thing is clear ahead of Mainz’s last game at home in 2023: FSV need to pick up points before the winter break given their current position in second last place in the standings. Obviously, the 05ers would like to claim all three points from the clash against the newly promoted 1. FC Heidenheim. Mainz want to respond to the mixed feelings of recent weeks with a determined performance, but they’ll need to be clinical in front of goal if they finally want to be rewarded for their efforts in the form of points. “A victory would be really important for us and something positive for our conscience,” said Jan Siewert. “That would motivate us.”
Siewert emphasised how crucial it is that his team is precise in the final third in the press conference on Thursday ahead of the first competitive contest against 1. FC Heidenheim. The Mainz head coach explained: “The next step for us is to actually get the ball into the back of the net.” We had chances in the last few games and we have been striking the right balance in terms of defensive stability and attacking with the ball. At the end of the day, we have to get results. “We don’t have to play beautiful football, but we’ve got to increase our goalscoring opportunities.” For that reason, there has been a focus on attacking in the final third this week in training at Bruchweg in attempt to get more attempts on goal in matches.
Patience needed against a “well-structured team”
Several factors will be important against the Bundesliga newcomers, including perseverance with your way of playing football, the ability to stick to your guns and to continue working towards the desired success. Frank Schmidt’s side have made a good start to life in Germany’s top flight, picking up 14 points from their first 14 games. Therefore, Siewert is full of praise for his side’s industrious opponents who are hard to play against: “They are a well-structured team that have grown together over the years.”
The difficulty of the task is clear for all to see and patience will be necessary in order to find space and pick the right moments to press and counter press, whilst this will also be key in order to create chances, score goals and secure a win. The formation for the game is just one point of consideration. “How do we view the game and the opposition, and what is the team capable of doing? What do you need against Heidenheim? How will the opposition set up? Regardless of the formation, it’s all about ambition and application,” Siewert explained.
Two players could make a return to the squad
There’s more competition for places in attack in the starting XI now that Karim Onisiwo is back in team training. Edimilson Fernandes also returned to training this week, having mostly recovered from his injury. “We’ll see what options we have available to us on Saturday,” said Siewert. Robin Zentner, who has been replaced in goal by Daniel Batz against Freiburg and Köln, will not be available for the clash against Heidenheim. Silvan Widmer is also ill, but apart from that Siewert can choose an XI from a strong Mainz squad for the contest against Heidenheim.