Svensson: "It’s about chasing that feeling”

Just three days on from the last-second draw at VfL Bochum, Bo Svensson’s focus on Monday afternoon is already on his side’s next match away at Hertha BSC. The 05ers are determined to reach the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday night (20:45 CET kick-off) at the home of the competition’s final, Berlin’s Olympiastadion. A win over their second-division opponents wouldn’t just take Mainz one step closer to that showpiece match, but would also provide them with some much needed confidence for the league. The boss knows that a big improvement is needed on the first half in particular in Bochum, but he is buoyed by the reaction his team showed during the game.

Belief in the team and their quality

“I’m still here and I want nothing more than for us to get back to winning ways together,” said Svensson without a hint of doubt in his belief that he can get the team on track again. “I’m well aware that the backing me and my coaching staff have received can’t go on forever, but it’s still remarkable to see how much calm there is around the club that allows us to focus on the job at hand. That is very important, but there’s still no getting around the fact that I have to deliver. We have to deliver,” said the coach, who hasn’t stopped short of scrutinising his own decisions following the performance against Bochum.

“I need to be critical of myself and ask the question whether the tactical approach at the start of the game was the right one.” After almost half an hour on the back foot, the Mainz head coach switched to a back-four, strengthened the central midfield and brought his team into contention. “The second half was more of what I was expecting from the team, even if it wasn’t exactly tiki-taka football. We had more control, more of a foothold. We were too passive before that and looked lost on the ball. There’s a lot of work ahead, but I believe in the team and their quality. We have to consistently produce that on the pitch and can’t just put things down to our mindset or mentality,” urged Svensson, adding: “I certainly don’t get the impression that the boys are lacking desire.”

Rediscover that winning feeling

The Dane is well aware that Mainz’s precarious situation of just three points from nine Bundesliga games can only be fixed by wins. He wants to make a start on that in the capital, even if there aren’t any points at stake. “The DFB-Pokal is a great competition. It’s a tricky game but one we’re aiming to win. That winning feeling can help you a lot. Sitting there in the changing room soaking up a victory is so beneficial. It’s not just about making the next round of the cup, but about chasing that feeling,” said Svensson, who is anticipating a tough opponent. “After a difficult start to the season, Pal Dardai has managed to send out a well organised side in recent weeks, one that has a clear style. His influence is unmistakable. It won’t be an easy task, but we’re looking forward to taking it on.”

After Philipp Mwene was able to train with the team again on Monday, the coach will have almost a full squad to choose from for the trip to the Olympiastadion, where his side will be cheered on by around 1,000 Mainz fans. There’s also every chance that those who were called on from the bench early on in Bochum will be handed starts on Wednesday night. Goalscorer Tom Krauß, Jae-sung Lee and Aymen Barkok in particular received praise from the boss: “They added some fresh impetus to our game.” That same boost is exactly what Svensson is hoping his team can get by securing a place in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal, especially with just two days of preparation remaining for the tricky meeting with Champions League participants RB Leipzig once they arrive back in Mainz on Thursday. Marco Rose’s side are the visitors to the MEWA ARENA on Saturday afternoon from 15:30 CET.