Eleven goals and a great atmosphere in Pfeddersheim

With a comfortable 11-0 win away to Landesliga side and Mainz 05 club partner TSG Pfeddersheim, 1. FSV Mainz 05 brought the first short week of pre-season to a close. Mainz, wearing their new red-and-white home shirt, left no doubt in their first friendly in front of 2,500 spectators and kept Pfeddersheim away from their own penalty area throughout. At the other end, FSV made use of their aerial strength and also impressed with their play in phases. Head coach Urs Fischer praised his side’s performance after the first three intense days of training: “I was really pleased with what we saw today. The team was always on the move and counter-pressed immediately after losing possession. That is not something you can take for granted after such a short week.”

First half lineup:  Zentner – Yamasaki, Bell (C), Potulski, Da Costa, Caci, Maloney, Martel, Ruoppi, Becker, Tietz

As expected, Mainz 05, with new signings Eric Martel and Otto Ruoppi as well as U23 player Taiyu Yamasaki all making their debuts, took control from the first minute. After a brief opening spell, FSV established sustained pressure around the Pfeddersheim penalty area. The box was constantly crowded, with even the Mainz midfielders pushing forward consistently. The opening goal duly arrived through a fine header from Phillip Tietz (16’), breaking the deadlock. Just five minutes later, Martel doubled the lead with his first goal in a Mainz 05 shirt. After a drinks break, another new signing got in on the act, as Ruoppi kept his cool in front of goal following an excellent through ball (30’). Shortly before half-time, Leon Guth, the Landesliga side’s goalkeeper, showed his quality with several saves to deny Martel and Tietz. Nevertheless, Urs Fischer’s side added further goals before the break. Martel completed his brace (40’), before Caci finished off a fine team move to make it 5-0 at half-time.

Second half lineup: Kinzig – Kawasaki, Gruber, Hanche-Olsen, Kohr (C), Nakuzola, Imafidon, Nebel, Boving, Königsdörffer, Weiper

Scoreboard gives up

Urs Fischer changed his entire XI at half-time, also handing debuts to Ransford Königsdörffer, goalkeeper Max Kinzig and academy players Daniel Imafidon and Rael Nakuzola. The team stayed true to its approach. Mainz pressed TSG high up the pitch and repeatedly won possession early. Their dominance continued and was reflected in further goals. Weiper made it half a dozen with a shot on the turn in the 46th minute, before Imafidon (62’) and Paul Nebel (75’) added to the tally. The highlight of the day followed two minutes later, when Weiper finished off a Königsdörffer cross in spectacular fashion with a backheel to make it 9-0. In the closing stages, Bøving (80’) and Königsdörffer (89’) rounded off the 11-0 final score.

After a well-deserved Sunday off, the first-team players will return to action next Saturday with another friendly against Sportfreunde Eisbachtal at the Eisbachstadion in Nentershausen (16:00).

TSG Pfeddersheim - 1. FSV Mainz 05 0:11 (0:5)

Goals: 0-1 Tietz (16'), 0-2 & 0-4 Martel (21' & 40'), 0-3 Ruoppi (29'), 0-5 Caci (42'), 0-6 & 0-9 Weiper (46' & 77'), Imalfidon (62'), Nebel (75'), 0-10 Boving (80'), 0-11 Königsdörffer (89') 

Referee: Sebastian Hilgers

Audience: 2,500