Work hard and remain level-headed

Mainz will get a new matchday underway for the third time this season when they and 1,500 travelling fans make the trip to face SV Werder Bremen on Friday night (kick-off 20:30 CET). The 05ers are hoping to rediscover that winning feeling on the road and what better place to do that than at happy hunting ground, the Weserstadion. FSV have taken all three points home from Bremen on seven previous occasions, which is more often than from any other Bundesliga away ground.

The Mainzer were able to return to winning ways last weekend when they defeated VfB Stuttgart at home. Two wins and two defeats to begin 2025 see the 05ers sitting sixth in the league standings on 31 points. Werder have had rather less fortune and are one of two sides who remain winless in the new calendar year following two losses and two draws. The Green-Whites’ current total of 27 points places them in ninth spot in the Bundesliga table.

Bo henriksen spoke in his press conference about...

...extending his contract until 2027: “This decision comes from the heart. My family and I really enjoy life here in Mainz. The city, the club and all the people here really welcomed us when we first arrived. It has been a wild year, one which few would have predicted, but it’s certainly been an exciting journey. I enjoy working here with the players and staff here which is down to the fact that the club operates as a unit. That stems from the people in charge. It is essential for all of us to be honest with one another and that everyone is able to express their thoughts. That will remain the case for the next two-and-a-half years. The fans have also been incredible right from the off, providing us with such great support. It was great to see how the whole city came together even in a situation that looked pretty bleak. Despite plenty of disheartening experiences, the fans continued to come to Bruchweg to speak with us and all that plays a major role. We have the potential to keep improving and to never settle with what we have. For that reason, I am so pleased to have signed this contract extension so that I can continue to be a part of the culture at this club which has been shaped over so many years. It means a lot to me being here in a place where I have learned so much. I love being in Mainz.”

...his first year at Mainz 05: “It’s been brilliantly bonkers. I vividly remember not only our game in Wolfsburg but the talks we held ahead of the match. My heart rate was all the way up to 130 because of the unbelievable emotion on show, both after the game with the 6,000 travelling Mainz fans and also the following day at the massive party in the MEWA ARENA. That was an incredible experience. The day-to-day work remains vital for me if we are to keep improving. I will sleep when I turn 70.”

...his aims: “It is essential for us to keep bettering ourselves and to get the points we need to ensure our top-flight status as soon as possible. That is the main thing. Only once we have achieved that can we turn our attention to setting more long-term targets. We also need to be improving year on year. We have a number of very good academy prospects. If we are thinking about bigger aims then you have to bear in mind the high-quality sides that we have already beaten this season. It is vital that we retain the culture we have at this club. It is amazing to think that Mainz has been a Bundesliga side for 17 years now but that is something that can only be achieved through strong leadership, a great city and great fans.”

...new signing Arnaud Nordin: “He is fast, good on the ball and effective in one-on-one scenarios. He provides us with both goals and assists as well as quality in the half-spaces. I think he is a really top player but he will require patience in order to adjust because we play rather differently in comparison to his former team. We will take that time with him but I also hope that he can be part of the team for tomorrow’s game. He will make the squad but not the starting line-up.”

...the game in Bremen and European ambitions: “It is important to allow yourself to dream and we want to win each match but have to also think about things on a game-by-game basis. Hopefully, we can pull off a few surprises along the way but we have to continue to work hard if we are to keep winning. Union Berlin was a clear example of the fact that we will lose if we don’t give it our all. If we do manage that however, then we have every chance of getting the three points. That gives us confidence but we also have to remain grounded.”

...Jonny Burkardt’s fitness: “He is currently not in team training but wants to be back next week. We are hoping that he can make his return in the Augsburg game.”

...on the opponent from Bremen: “We know that it’s going to be a tough contest. It is essential that we throw ourselves into every tackle, giving it everything we’ve got. We also need to be courageous enough to play our football but that desire to win the ball is the most important thing. Werder are a strong side who have played well this season so we will need to bring our A-game if we want to win this one.”