Ajorque: “It’s important that things function as a collective”

It’s been almost a year since 1. FSV Mainz 05 picked up three points away from home in the Bundesliga. The 05ers won 3-0 away at RB Leipzig on 1st April 2023, putting in an outstanding performance on the day. “It was possibly our best game of the season,” said Ludovic Ajorque, who won the “Goal of the Month” award for a wonderful strike. “It was one of the best goals of my career.”

Things that came easily to the 05ers have become more complicated this season – for the whole team, but also for the Frenchman, who has only scored two goals so far this season after registering six goals last season. “Unfortunately, there are times in football when not everything goes to plan. It’s then important that things function as a collective,” explained Ajorque, who always sets himself ambitious personal goals. At the same time, he knows: “At the end of the day it doesn’t matter who scores the goals. The main thing is that we pick up points and that we’re successful as a team. If you work hard, you’ll be rewarded eventually.”

The most important thing: three points!

The 05ers were rewarded for their efforts in the home game against VfL Bochum following the heavy defeat away at Bayern, with FSV running out 2-0 winners. It was real hard-fought battle – ready-made for the powerful Ajorque, who was back in the starting eleven in attack and threw himself into every individual duel. It was the Frenchman’s first start since the away game in Stuttgart – the final game under head coach Jan Siewert. “We got a new head coach, but I was ill at the time. Therefore, I was happy to be able to get back on the pitch, to be back in the starting eleven and, most importantly, able to secure three points with the team,” the 30-year-old explained. 

Henriksen “has restored our belief and hope”

16th place, which FSV currently occupy, has given the 05ers  a good feeling initially. “We’re now in a better position – we’ve closed the gap to the teams ahead of us. Everything is possible,” said Ajorque, who emphasised the importance of the fans’ support in the current situation. “They gave us strength again against Bochum, even though it wasn’t a great game in the first half an hour and we didn’t start particularly well. However, that’s exactly what we need.” It’s the only way to achieve the ultimate goal of survival together at the end of the season.

The new head coach Bo Henriksen radiates positivity and support from every fiber of his being. The energy which the Dane has brought to the club and the team has been evident in many phases of the past few games under his regime. “You can also now see it in the table – he’s restored our belief and hope.”

A perfect day needed

All that won’t just be enough this weekend against Leipzig (Sat, 30/3, 15:30 CET). The 05ers will once again need a perfect day with the perfect performance if they want to secure a first away win of the campaign. “I think we can win there again this year, particularly after just beating Bochum. If everything goes our way and we play to our best, why can’t we win?” Even though his goal last season was a special one, Ajorque will not be watching it back. “It’s in the past. What happens on Saturday is what counts now.”

Hoping that luck will be on Mainz’s side

The international break came at a good time for the Frenchman, allowing him the chance to recharge the batteries ahead of the run-in. The away trip to Leipzig is followed by home games against Darmstadt (Sat, 6/4, 15:30 CEST) and Hoffenheim (Sat, 13/4, 15:30 CEST). 1. FC Köln are also still set to visit the MEWA ARENA, before trips to Freiburg and Heidenheim. The last two matchdays see the 05ers host Borussia Dortmund and then play VfL Wolfsburg away from home on the final day.

“If we get the right results at home with our fans behind us, it will be easier to pick up points on our travels too. We had a few games in the first half of the season that we should have won. I’m just hoping now that the luck is on our side after winning against Bochum.” Ajorque would love to contribute himself with some goals and good performances: “I will give my best. Ultimately, we want to win games and achieve our target of staying up – that’s the most important thing.”