Maloney: “I’ll leave the moments of magic to others”

After joining from 1. FC Heidenheim during the second half of last season, Lennard Maloney played just 23 Bundesliga minutes for Mainz and only 65 minutes for the U23s. This season is going a lot better for the 26-year-old, who has already played 467 minutes across the Bundesliga, Conference League and DFB-Pokal.

The German-American has put in some convincing performances as both a centre-half and in the number six role and seems to have caught the eye of his boss. “I think I can really help the team with my strengths,” said Maloney, referring to his tough tackling, build-up play, leadership qualities and strong running abilities. He enjoys doing the so-called “dirty work” on the pitch: “I’m there to do my job. I’ll gladly leave the moments of magic to others.”

“It’s a challenge to always keep a clear head”

The Berlin-born midfielder is generally a positive guy – something that helped him during his first few months at Mainz when he wasn’t getting much playing time. “I’ve always just tried to lead by example. Of course, it’s tricky sometimes and it’s alright if you have days where you’re not in a good mood. That’s part of being a professional. It’s just all the more reason to be ready for when the big day comes.” For Maloney, that ‘big day’ was the first Conference League home game against Mostar. He really felt the strain physically the day after: “But it was alright and I still felt really good.”

Besides the physical strain, it’s the mental aspect that plays a particularly important role during the busy weeks this season. “It’s definitely demanding, sometimes more demanding than you as a player would like to admit,” said Maloney. “It’s not so much the physical strain, because we have lots of physio staff at the club who really look after us. The challenge is to always keep a clear head and be ready when it matters. It’s not easy, but it’s also what makes it so great.”

“Not as a kick up the backside, but as motivation.”

His experience and his leadership qualities help him deal with situations like the current one at the club. Sporting director Niko Bungert recently described him as a “leader and organiser in the centre,” a “tackling monster,” and “a guy you can always hear.” Maloney was pleased with those comments and noted that they are also the things he lives by: “I actually just started randomly shouting on the pitch back in my youth, just to unsettle the opponent. It also helps me as a defender, as well as my teammates, to be in the right position and know exactly where they are. With the situation we’re in right now, it’s important to speak up when things don’t work right away. Not as a kick up the backside, but as motivation.”

The 26-year-old will be looking to get the first home win of the Bundesliga season on Friday (20:30 CET), as they welcome TSG Hoffenheim to the MEWA ARENA. Mainz came close before the international break and did deserve to take all three points in the game against Bremen. It’s just a few little things the 05ers are missing now: “We just need that little push to take us over the edge,” says Maloney. “Everyone has to do their jobs. All the fine details need to be right, whether it’s set pieces, build-up play, or something else. Everyone has to follow what the coach tells us, play to their strengths and give it their all. Only then will things start to go in a more positive direction for us.”