“Intense, uncomfortable, difficult”: Mainz prepare to host FC Augsburg

Karneval celebrations are fast approaching in Mainz, with the 05ers hoping to add to the city’s jubilant atmosphere by picking up more crucial points in the fight to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga. On Saturday, both stories will be intertwined at the MEWA ARENA. 1. FSV Mainz 05 will host FC Augsburg, with the matchday schedule coloured with vibrant Karneval accents and of course this year’s special Karneval kit.

From 15:30 CET, however, full focus will be on 90 minutes of football, passion and the hope of pulling further away from the drop zone. Following two consecutive victories, the 05ers under head coach Urs Fischer will be eager to keep building momentum in the German top flight. FSV have edged closer to the middle of the pack in a tightly contested lower half of the Bundesliga table, but there’s still plenty to do before safety is secured. Three points could see Mainz close the gap on Augsburg. However, Fischer has little time for hypotheticals: “It will be an intense, uncomfortable, difficult game, in which fine margins will decide the outcome,” he said at Friday’s press conference.

Urs Fischer on...

From 15:30 CET, however, full focus will be on 90 minutes of football, passion and the hope of pulling further away from the drop zone. Following two consecutive victories, the 05ers under head coach Urs Fischer will be eager to keep building momentum in the German top flight. FSV have edged closer to the middle of the pack in a tightly contested lower half of the Bundesliga table, but there’s still plenty to do before safety is secured. Three points could see Mainz close the gap on Augsburg. However, Fischer has little time for hypotheticals: “It will be an intense, uncomfortable, difficult game, in which fine margins will decide the outcome,” he said at Friday’s press conference.

…the squad situation for Saturday: “Benedict Hollerbach, Sota Kawasaki, Robin Zentner and Anthony Caci are all a definite no for this weekend. Armindo Sieb was ill for a while and was back on the pitch today doing some athletics work, but that certainly won’t be enough for him to be involved tomorrow. Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Niki Veratschnig returned to full team training this week. Both could be options for the matchday squad.”

…the relegation battle: “I’m far too much of a realist to start speculating. It will be an intense, uncomfortable, difficult game against Augsburg, where small details will decide things in the end. These are two teams who are well organised, compact and capable of executing the basics.”

…his team’s development: “We’ve definitely taken steps forward, for example in terms of stability. In Leipzig, we were very good for 60 minutes but also had 30 where we needed a bit of luck. Ultimately, you want to be solid for the full 90 minutes. That’s what we’re working on – there are still a few areas to improve.”

…FC Augsburg’s development under Manuel Baum: “They have a good mix: players with pace who look to take on opponents one-on-one, and players with physical presence and height, especially at set pieces. They sometimes play balls right toward and in behind the backline, but also into the half-spaces, where they have the technical ability to manage well under pressure. There are many points we have to keep in mind defensively. But it’s also about what we do in possession. We’ll definitely have to do well in those moments tomorrow. We won’t just be defending.”

…former Augsburg player Phillip Tietz: “Playing against former teammates is always something special. But regardless of the opponent, Phillip is always ready for any task. So far, he’s shown exactly what we expected from him. It’s great when a player also scores or sets up goals. It wasn’t easy for him against Wolfsburg. To shake off the missed penalty, keep going, score the equaliser and then continue to be involved – that’s exactly what we expect from him.”

…new signing Sheraldo Becker: “He could well make the squad. I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen so far. He came straight out of regular training, so he didn’t have any major adaptation issues. When it comes to principles of play and basics, he knows exactly what we expect. It’s exceptional to be able to sign a player of his quality at such short notice. That helps us, especially with a few players injured. I know him, and he knows the Bundesliga, and so he won’t need much time to adapt. He has tremendous pace, looks to drive directly at goal and also provides assists. I’m expecting a lot from him.”