Veratschnig: "Everyone arrives at training with a smile on their face"

When the going gets that bit tougher in the second half of a match, sometimes the best thing for a football team is to introduce the kind of player who will offer their side a pair of fresh legs and added impetus. Nikolas Veratschnig has been fulfilling this role to a tee of late for Mainz of late, featuring for a combined 46 minutes after coming on as a substitute both in Dortmund and at home to Kiel.

The wide player emphasised how pleased it makes him to be able to help the team out. “It just means a lot to me. I knew that my first year here would be tough, because ahead of the season I was told that I would need to get up to scratch physically and I’ve made good progress in that sense. It’s a great feeling to get out on that pitch and I hope to continue to be handed even more minutes.” The Austrian has worked hard in pursuit of this aim: “I am feeling as fit as ever and I’m simply giving it my all. I have a lot of fun when I get to play and I think that’s clear to see.”

“I was over the moon”

Veratschnig was able to get even more match practice under his belt last Wednesday, featuring for 65 minutes of the U23s‘ fixture against FSV Frankfurt. “The most important thing as a young player is to be playing football, so when the chance comes along to feature for a good hour for the U23s during the week instead of training, then I’m more than happy to do so. That gives me confidence going into the weekend’s game and also does me good physically to get an hour’s run-out rather than under 30 minutes.” The 22-year-old was also brought on for Phillipp Mwene in the 67th minute of the first team’s match on Saturday and came ever so close to marking the appearance with his opening goal in Mainz colours. “I was over the moon when the ball hit the net, but that feeling lasted all of three seconds until I saw the flag go up for offside. It was a tight one, so I was disappointed about that for a bit but the next opportunity is right around the corner this coming weekend.”

Tasked with posing some stern competition

The Austrian has been part of the first team squad at Mainz 05 since summer 2024, with the team making his settling-in process rather smooth sailing. “I feel at home here. The lads gave me such a warm welcome and wanted to ensure that I was doing alright, so I obviously want to try and repay that by contributing to the team.” Veratschnig’s role in the side was clear from the off: “I work hard to get up and down that right flank, which is my ideal position. My job at the moment is to create competition for the regular starters and I think I did that well with my performances in the last couple of matches, which I think the coach also noticed.” After making 64 competitive appearances for previous club Wolfsberger AC in his home country, the 22-year-old detailed the pair of major differences he sees between the German and Austrian top-flights: “The intensity is on a whole other level in the German Bundesliga with everything done at a much higher tempo. There are also fewer mistakes made, which is really impressive to witness. Those are the two most notable contrasts, I would say.”

Togetherness the key to success

Veratschnig reports that a defeat and draw in the 05ers’ previous two fixtures have not had a negative impact on the mood in camp. “Despite the fact we aren’t happy with the results from the past couple of weeks, we are nevertheless playing with a sense of freedom and everyone is giving it their all. We go again on Saturday when we have another chance to pick up points, so we hope to bring our A-game.” There is one particular aspect of the team which the wide player views as meaning the next win is not far off. “Everyone arrives at training with a smile on their face and is happy to be here. The team’s togetherness stems from that, I think.”

Positive team spirit is likely to come to the fore more so at this stage of the season than any other. Just six games remain on the agenda for the 05ers as the race for European qualification reaches boiling point. However, Veratschnig does not see that as reason for Mainz to go about things differently in comparison to matches gone by. “The need for points is just the same as before. A win is a win, regardless of where you are in the standings,” judges the 22-year-old. “We are well-positioned in terms of the table but have to continue to take things game-by-game and aim to get the three points each weekend. We cannot afford to overthink things and rather need to simply stay focused on our football.”

“A hard-fought, high-octane affair”

Mainz will be looking to remain on track when they travel to face Hoffenheim this coming Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CEST). The hope is to improve in areas that were somewhat sub-par against Kiel. “We need to be more aggressive while not losing the required respect for our opposition. I believe that if we give it everything we have then we will win this game,” predicts Veratschnig ahead of the clash away to TSG.

The 05ers will be backed by between 8,000 and 10,000 travelling fans for the contest in Sinsheim, which Veratschnig sees as a decisive factor. “The fans have one of the biggest influences in football in my eyes. After hearing their amazing support, spurring you on, you want to be able to give something back. Having the fans in our back is highly motivating and that serves our game well.” He nevertheless considers the weekend’s task a tricky one: “It should be a hard-fought, high-octane affair. I think a lot of running will be required if we are to win,” anticipates the Austrian. “Hoffenheim’s game is based on their tackling abilities and therefore we will need to be strong into every challenge. I see us as the technically superior side, though. If we show what we can do out on that pitch, then I think we will come away with the points.”