“Makes us want to achieve even more”

mainz 05 2-2 Bayer

Christian Heidel: “We have already experienced a lot but today really could have gone either way, keeping tabs on the Leipzig game as well as ours. These are the sorts of days that live long in the memory. However, I have to say that we really earned our spot in the Conference League today. I was worried during the first half that we wouldn’t be able to pick ourselves up at half time but that was silly. I am all for VAR but it was tough to take today, even if all the decisions were correct. I have no doubt in my mind that this qualification for Europe is significant. At lot of people at this club and in this city have grown up together and that’s the way it used to be. The lads have given so much for this and not just in terms of results. We’re looking forward to playing in the Conference League and celebrating that today.”

Robin Zentner: “We have reached the end of a very successful season and we are pleased to have deservedly secured qualification. We are just very happy. It was clear to see how much we wanted to win with the energy we brought. It was really exciting to achieve something. We have suffered setbacks in recent weeks but never let our heads drop because our performance levels always remained high. It would have been such a shame not to reward ourselves.”

Nadiem Amiri: “I was very nervous to face my former team today and knew what was ahead of us. It was an emotional day and one-and-a-half-years, at that. I am over the moon to be able to play European football with Mainz. I said ahead of the season that I wanted to be celebrating something different to just staying up and I have kept my word. Our belief has been and is sky-high. You have to take things step-by-step and playing in Europe brings every club to the next level.”

Paul Nebel: “Everything came together today. We did not let our heads drop and I am proud of that. We achieved this together and it was really special to be able to celebrate in front of our fans. I returned here a year ago and wanted to become a regular starter. You could not predict how this season would go and especially in this fashion. It just makes us want to achieve even more. We are a tight-knit group who get on well with each other every day. We want to celebrate this evening.”

Danny da Costa: “We played so well over the course of all 34 games and let loose once again today. It is amazing to have secured sixth spot and therefore qualified for continental competition. Despite the goals that were chalked off today, we just kept on pushing. I cannot remember many first halves from my career quite like the one today. We did a lot right. Personally, I have to admit that I have not experienced many seasons like this. I did not expect it to go as it did and I am so pleased.”

Niko Bungert: “Everyone wanted to make sure we rewarded ourselves for this fantastic campaign. I was proud how the team tackled a tough opponent before the break. The first half made quite the impression. We are brave and want to play football without shying away from the challenge. The team and coaching staff share in that attitude. European nights are something really special – they do not happen for us every season. The first job is to get through qualifying but we will be ready for it.”