“Something for us and the fans to enjoy”

The team’s flight from Frankfurt to Larnaca landed on early Wednesday evening in a 28-degree heat. Those on board, encompassing the players, coaching staff and wider employees and club officials of 1. FSV Mainz 05 all shared in the excitement ahead of the side’s opening match in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League away to Cypriot outfit Omonia Nikosia on Thursday (kick-off 18:45 CEST).

“We want to deliver a good performance and win the game,” reported head coach Bo Henriksen during the press conference at the GSP Stadium, signalling the way he desires his side to go about things in front of the 05ers’ 1,500 travelling fans. Mainz club captain Silvan Widmer is expecting an opponent in Omonia who are currently enjoying a positive run of form. “We need to be at our best if we are to take the three points home with us,” according to Widmer.

BO HENRIKSEN on…

...his expectations for the fixture: “We anticipate a tough game, since we know that Omonia possess good quality. I travelled to Cyprus to take on AEK Larnaca with Midtjylland and that was another tricky affair. We want to deliver a good performance and win the game. It won’t be easy but will also be a great deal of fun, because it will be Mainz’s first game in Europe for nearly 10 years. We are therefore really pleased to be here.”

...the league phase of the Conference League: “We have a clear goal which is to win each game. If we do that then it will be fun. However, we also know that it is always difficult to win European ties, no matter who you come up against. We are also aware that it will be tricky to reach the next stage of the competition but will try our best. If we do that in every game, then we have a hope and a good feeling that we can win all those games. But in football, in the Conference League and in Europe, you face a new challenge each time. Away games are particularly difficult, and I think it could get a bit heated tomorrow. We are of course hoping to deliver good performance.”

...the warm Cypriot climate: “It is rather hot right now – about 28 degrees and this is around the time at which we’ll play tomorrow. We know it’ll be a bit warmer than usual, but that is also perfect for us. The end of the summer in Mainz is now a couple weeks behind us and hopefully we haven’t forgotten what that feeling is like.”

...lacking shooting accuracy in some matches: “It is obviously never nice when you don’t score but we have also seen this season that we can. We won 4-1 at home to Rosenborg and then netted a further four away to Augsburg. We know that we are capable and can be dangerous when we deliver a good showing. I know that we possess great quality in this team and and also that it is only a matter of time.”

...the opposition: “Omonia pose as fierce opposition, winning both their previous matches 5-0. They are well-organised and play somewhat similarly to Rosenborg under their Norwegian coach. Nevertheless, they look to play and are good on the ball. They have good players and are strong in one-on-one situations and in transition. It won’t be easy because they are well set up and know what they want to do.”

Silvan widmer ON…

...his memories of playing in Nicosia: “I believe it was seven years ago that I played against Apollon Limassol here in this stadium and lost. Like the gaffer, I’m expecting a difficult game against an opponent who is in very good form. We need to be at our best if we are to take the three points home with us tomorrow.”

...his expectations for the league phase: “Obviously, we want to go as far as possible – that goes without saying. Ideally, we want to finish in the top eight, but these will all be very difficult games and we mustn’t look too far ahead. Instead, we have to take each game as it comes and show what we can do on the pitch in every single one. If we don’t do that then qualifying for the knockout stages alone will become difficult. We can take the first step on the road tomorrow. Starting with a win would be really significant.”

...work done following the loss to Dortmund: “We’re naturally frustrated when we lose. However, I actually view our packed schedule as a good thing, because it means we don’t have time to dwell on what has gone before since we always have the next game to focus on. Of course, we talked about the defeat afterwards on Sunday and analysed it within the team. By the time I was on my way home after training that day, I was already looking forward to the next game and to beginning our Conference League campaign.”

...the magic of European nights: “The Bundesliga is the priority for us and that remains the case. European nights obviously go that bit further as something unique because a club like Mainz 05 doesn’t experience that every year. This is something for us and the fans to enjoy. For me personally, it would be really cool if we can reach the knockout stage. At that point, you play two games and afterwards you’re either through or you go out. I sincerely hope that we get to experience that and that we can remain in the competition for as long as possible.”