Same plan, different game

On Saturday (15:30 CEST), 1. FSV Mainz 05 make the trip to SV Werder Bremen, with just under 1,000 away fans in tow. The disappointment surrounding Eintracht Frankfurt’s late equaliser in the Rhine-Main derby was long gone in Bo Svensson’s press conference on Thursday. Instead, it was satisfaction with his team’s good performance at several points of the game against SGE that prevailed. “We need to play this consistently,” emphasised Mainz’s head coach, looking ahead to the trip to Bremen. It’s not just an important game for both teams; it’s also an event that the Dane looks forward to every Bundesliga season. “I liked going there as a player. There are stadiums that are special in terms of their atmosphere, and the Weserstadion is definitely one of them. Playing there is always a great experience.”
 
On the day before “Deadline Day”, which always seems so hectic from an outsider’s perspective, the 44-year-old looked completely at ease in the press room of the MEWA ARENA. Svensson prefers to concentrate on things that he can affect as a head coach.”That’s where my focus lies.”
 
“I feel like everyone’s on the same page”
 
 He is in the process of preparing his team for what will be a challenging away day in Bremen. The Weserstadion has been a happy hunting ground for FSV over the past few seasons, but, for Svensson, that’s a coincidence and doesn’t affect the game on Saturday at all. “We played well there last time round, but that doesn’t guarantee a result in the next game.” He went on to explain that replicating the good moments from the Frankfurt game would be crucial: “Intensity, solidarity, moving the ball around quickly, helping one another out,” listed the FSV head coach. “I feel like everyone was on the same page. It’s important. Obviously, it wasn’t the result we were hoping for, but the performance was good and shouldn’t be taken for granted.”

Onisiwo back in training

As part of the back three, new arrival Sepp van den Berg and Maxim Leitsch were responsible amongst others for Mainz’s improved defensive stability against Frankfurt. “I found Sepp’s performance in his first full appearance good. Maxim also did well. It pleased me that he was able to help the team out with his performance,” commented Svensson, who will have to do without the centre back in Bremen. Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Stefan Bell are candidates to replace him in this position. 

The two home-grown talents Nelson Weiper and Brajan Gruda were once again given an opportunity in attack. “They are doing well. Naturally, young players experience highs and lows, but I believe in both of them, as I have been saying since the start of pre-season,” stresses Svensson, who once again won’t be able to call upon the injured Ludovic Ajorque. Instead, Karim Onisiwo is back in team training: “Things are looking good for him.” The Austrian could be able to help the team increase their threat in the attacking third once more. “We need to convert the effort we are putting in to win the ball back into better solutions in our play and more goalscoring opportunities,” the Dane explains. Above all, Svensson sees his team as lacking clarity in these situations. 

“We will be able to cause the opposition problems”

The 05ers know exactly what’s awaiting them in Bremen: A full stadium and an aggressive Bremen side who play at a fast pace looking to pick up their first points of the season in front of their own fans after two defeats. “We need to stand up to the challenge and bring our own game to the pitch. Then, we will be able to cause the opposition problems,” says Svensson. The 05ers want to take all three points home with them with the support of their fans and consistency in their performance. FSV want to ensure that their memories of the Weserstadion remain positive on Saturday afternoon.