Cup exit analysis

Exiting the Cup after defeat to second division side Greuther Fürth is hard to stomach for the Zerofivers, especially as they would have thought they had the game in their grasp. Coach Martin Schmidt found it hard to put the last ten minutes into words, as his team gave up a 1-0 lead to eventually lose 2-1. His side had 67 percent possession, won 54 percent of their challenges and also enjoyed more shots than their opponent (12-8). However, all of this was in vain as the Zerofivers failed to reach the third round of the cup for the third time in a row, last year they were ousted by 1860 Munich and the year before by Chemnitz.

“After taking the lead it was just about continuing to implement our game, we were patient and had control,” noted Schmidt. However, a football match lasts 90 minutes and Mainz’ dominance wasn’t enough in the end to overcome SpVgg. The coach continued: “We had our opponent absolutely where we wanted them but allowed them back into the game due to our own mistakes and misplaced passes right at the death. After they got their equaliser, the team seemed to wake up but we didn’t take advantage of our chances.” Both Jhon Córdoba and Karim Onisiwo had good chances in the 80 and 82nd minute respectively, but failed to convert. “Had we scored then, we would have gone home the happier of the two sides.” However, the hosts were more ruthless and capitalised on one of their few counter attacks. In the 90th minute, it was Veton Berisha who grabbed the winner for the underdogs and put them into the round of sixteen. “We carelessly gave up our qualification into the next round, now we’ll have to buck up our ideas,” concluded Schmidt.

Now fighting on two fronts

“Even at 1-1, I never had the feeling it was going to go wrong. Fürth didn’t do much in the game,” said full-back Daniel Brosinski after the final whistle. However, no one could really come up with an explanation for the last ten minutes of the game, but it's fair to say a lack of concentration after the win seemed to be clinched played a role. Sporting director Rouven Schröder also seemed bitterly disappointed after the game: “We let our opponents back into it after one or two mistakes - that is very, very annoying, because this competition is financially important for the club. As we’re an ambitious team so this defeat really hurts.” Once again, the Zerofivers weren’t able to kill off a game and for the first time this season have suffered two defeats in a row. This loss also means Mainz won’t be able to achieve their goal of being in all three competitions after the winter break.

The FSV players will perhaps be thankful for the fact that they don’t have much time to reflect on this defeat, as they have the chance to make amends for it on Saturday in their Bundesliga clash with FC Ingolstadt (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Next week, the Zerofivers will also have another midweek match, this time in the Europa League against Anderlecht – two chances in six days to get the Fürth game out of their heads and improve their current positions in the two competitions that they’re still competing in.