Svensson: “It’s clear that we need to get a result”

When VfL Bochum host 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Friday evening (20:30 CEST) to kick off matchday 9 in the Bundesliga, not much will need to be said to underline the importance of the clash for the only two sides yet to win a game in the league. After Mainz academy graduate Leandro Barreiro spoke about the clash during the week. Bo Svensson also offered his views ahead of the meeting with Bochum in his press conference on Thursday afternoon: “It’s a very, very important game. There’s no other way to put it,” the 05ers’ head coach explained. “That’s clear to everybody – not just us, but also to Bochum. It’s also clear to everyone that we need to get a result. Both teams will try to do that using all their resources.”

The management at Mainz haven’t had much too much to complain about in terms of the 05ers’ performances in the last few weeks. Despite decent and even somewhat good performances against Leverkusen, Mönchengladbach and Bayern München, the bottom line is that FSV only have two points on the board after eight games. That’s too few given the team’s own demands, and it’s also not enough in the eyes of the fans, more than 2,600 of which will be following Svensson’s side to the Ruhr valley and enthusiastically cheering their team on. At the minute, Mainz and tomorrow’s opponents are in the midst of a relegation battle, and Svensson recognises that his side want to and need to deliver: “We can’t always just talk about performances and say: ‘It was good for the most part.’ We need points – a win would be really good. However, that’s always our aim. Everyone is aware of our situation, something I’ve also noticed in the intensity of our training sessions. I’m convinced that my team are fully aware of what they’ve got to do tomorrow,” the Dane said ahead of the clash against Bochum, who have only got two points more than FSV.

A vibrant atmosphere under the floodlights

Our head coach also recognised that playing VfL would be a tough challenge even without the situation both clubs find themselves in. The key themes from the press conference were playing under the floodlights, the claustrophobic stadium and the fiery atmosphere waiting for Mainz at Castroper Straße. “Their fans are really loud and create an impressive atmosphere. They always get behind the team. We’ve got to anticipate how special that sort of atmosphere will be in such a small ground and be fully aware of what lies in wait for us. But we’re working on finding solutions to get around it,” said Svensson. He went on to mention how our next opponents have put in some good performances recently, not least during their 0-0 draw with Champions League side RB Leipzig. “They play solidly as a team. They’re physically strong and very experienced. Thomas Letsch has a clear plan of what he wants his players to do.”

The 05er’s head coach explained that he hoped his own plan would increase the chances of Mainz’s first win of the season. After all, he admitted that the current crisis is getting to him and his players somewhat. Svensson went on to say that he’s the one that puts “the most pressure” on himself, regardless of whether the team are winning or losing. “In situations like this which are unpleasant for everyone, you have to look at things rationally and ask the question over and over: ‘What can I change?’ That’s how I deal with things.” 

All of the players that were available for selection against FC Bayern are fit to play again on Friday evening. The starting eleven, however, will probably be picked by the Mainz head coach in the 24 hours before kick-off. Players like captain Silvan Widmer, Karim Onisiwo and Joshua Guilavogui have all got another week of training under their belts and “are hungry to make an appearance”. Svensson highlighted that what the starting XI, the bench and the coaching staff all have in common is that everyone takes responsibility for the current situation and everyone knows what is needed to bring about a change.