“We’re used to the rhythm”

Mainz 05 returned to their Bruchweg base from Czechia early on Friday afternoon after the first leg of their Conference League round-of-16 tie. Recovery work, treatment and compensatory training were on the agenda before attention quickly turned to the next Bundesliga assignment during a video analysis session. After all, the 05ers are back in action on Sunday afternoon (15:30 CET) away to SV Werder Bremen. It is a crunch match against now neighbours in the table, after Bremen won each of their last two matches. “We’re now in a situation where it’s in our own hands,” said Urs Fischer, who also expressed his sympathy for the player who will not feature again this season for FSV after suffering a serious injury in Olomouc: “We’re all shaken, of course. You wouldn’t wish that on anyone. You feel for him, but you still have to put it out of your mind,” said the Mainz head coach after Silas’ broken leg was confirmed.

At his press conference, Fischer also spoke about...

…preparing for Bremen: “Today, we showed the players footage and analysis of what to expect there. We’ll turn our attention back to Olomouc on Monday. We’re used to this rhythm – it’s not our first week with European football. Now it’s all about focusing fully on Bremen.”

…Werder’s current situation: “Bremen have played with a back-four in their last two wins. It looks as though they’ve found their system. They’re a side who play very vertically and deliver a lot of crosses from the half-spaces, with good numbers in the box. Jens Stage in particular is someone you have to keep an eye on. Those recent results will certainly have given them stability. We know there’s work ahead of us.”

…the expectations on his team: “We want to back up the performances we’ve produced in recent weeks. We played really well in Leverkusen and against Stuttgart. That has to give us confidence. But backing up good performances is always a challenge. That’s how you get the results that give you security. We know what’s at stake, and the team are dealing with that really well. We’re now in a situation where it’s in our own hands.”

…Silas’ injury: “We’re all shaken, of course. You wouldn’t wish that on anyone. It’s a serious injury. It’s tough for the lad and I feel sorry for him. He’d worked so hard to get himself back and had found his rhythm again. You feel for him, but you still have to put it out of your mind. Things move on. At moments like this, a result or a performance naturally becomes secondary. We’ll be able to cope with it – and we’ll have to.”

…Nelson Weiper and Armindo Sieb: “I don’t bring players on if they’re not ready. So that says they must be doing a lot right in training.”

…a possible return for Stefan Bell: “He’s not quite there yet. He was able to take part in parts of training today, but unfortunately had to stop early.”

…Anthony Caci: “He took part in some smaller-sided drills today, but without going into challenges. We need to build that up steadily and without pressure, because he’s been out for a long time. We’re integrating him where we can. I can’t say when he’ll be ready to play again. Anything else would be pure speculation.”