Hollerbach wants to “push the limit”

The new signing from Berlin likes to set himself big targets. He explained what he wants to achieve on a personal level and with FSV in a press conference on Wednesday.

Benedict Hollerbach likes to think big. It’s always noticeable that the new arrival from 1. FC Union Berlin wants to achieve something with his new club, whether he’s training on the pitch or speaking in a press conference. After Wednesday’s training session, the 24-year-old striker summed up his mindset to journalists in three words: “Push the limit”

He’s found the right head coach to do just that. Bo Henriksen is also all about not setting any upper limits, being ambitious and doing everything to achieve your goals. Mainz’s head coach is the perfect example of this mentality, but it always has to be accompanied by humility and hard work. “He’s really crazy, in a good way,” explained Hollerbach when asked about his first impressions of the Dane. The 24-year-old feels that he is in the right place at the right time. Indeed, two years ago, when he was playing for SV Wehen Wiesbaden, he wasn’t too far away from the Bruchweg. Then, he moved to Berlin, but now he’s back in the Rhine Main area and looking forward to his next step. “It was clear to me that Mainz 05 are a top team in which I can really improve my game and achieve my goals.”

“I want to keep getting better”

Hollerbach, who started his career in the academies of FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart, has gradually improved his goal tallies with each passing season. After an impressive campaign in the 3. Liga with 14 goals to his name, the striker bagged five times in his debut Bundesliga season before a nine-goal haul for Union in 2024/25. Logically, getting double figures in the league is Hollerbach’s next target. “I want to keep getting better,” emphasised the attacker and wants to live up to the high standards that he sets himself. “In my position, that’s inevitably linked to goals.”

“We have the right mindset”

Qualifying for the play-offs of the UEFA Conference League was a key reason why the ambitious Hollerbach decided to make the switch. Outside of a few minutes of action in the Youth League for FC Bayern, the 24-year-old does not have that much continental experience and is relishing the challenge. “For Mainz, playing in Europe is not an everyday occurrence. Having a third competition and flying long distances is a lot of extra work.” With three matches per week, the biggest challenge will be staying fit, recovering well and being as professional as possible in order to get through the intense schedule time and again. “We’ve got the right mindset and are training really, really professionally,” said Hollerbach, convinced that he will be able to do the same as his new teammates.

To achieve this, Hollerbach is aiming to get to know his teammates and the Mainz style of play even better over the coming weeks. That being said, there “are bigger differences than going from Union to Mainz,” as Hollerbach pointed out. “The way that I played there will fit well here,” expressed the new signing confidently. He added that the approach at FSV is still something special. “Here, a lot is done differently to how it is done at other clubs, but I like it.” Hollerbach has done tests, many of which he was unfamiliar with. “The running performances in training are pretty high, but professional. I’m someone who constantly tries to improve and looks whether things can be approached from a different angle. That’s why I’m looking forward to the start of the season and am happy with the things that I’m being exposed to and learning here. I’m also happy with the mentality that is being shown in training, with the intensity, and with the hunger for success.” Always pushing the limit.

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