Nebel: “Chance to write history”

At five-foot-seven-inches tall, Paul Nebel is far from known for his ability in the air. Nevertheless, the Mainz academy product demonstrated away in Bremen on Sunday that lacking in height does not mean one lacks the capability to head into the opposition net. His impressive diving header to hand FSV the early lead put his team on course for an important win in their quest to avoid the drop, and did so against a rival who also find themselves near the foot of the standings. The strike went to show, too, that Nebel is rediscovering his best form at just the right time, in a crucial phase of the campaign.

“The fact I’m not the tallest makes it all the more special”, joked Nebel regarding his physical size. “I was just pleased to get the goal, to be able to score again and help the team out”, added Mainz’s homegrown player. The goal in the sixth minute benefitted FSV in serving to quash some early attacking pressure from the hosts. “Although, a 1-0 lead becomes all the more dangerous the longer the game goes on, because the opposition can level things up from a single bit of play. Therefore, it was really important that we scored early in the second half to make it 2-0, in order to ensure Bremen couldn’t come back.” The team headed back to Mainz with a positive feeling but also the knowledge that the sides in the bottom half of the table remain tightly packed together. “We are still far from being safe or feeling like we don’t have to do as much. It’s a step in the right direction, but there are still a few more we need to take”, Nebel explained.

Making his way back to his best

The 23-year-old has made good progress back towards his best form in recent weeks. Nebel had initially lost his place in the starting line-up under Urs Fischer, but following Nadiem Amiri’s injury, he returned from the off in Leverkusen and immediately set up a goal. After an impressive display last season for FSV and excellent performances with the Germany U21 national team during summer 2025, things have not gone quite as hoped for the attacking midfielder so far in the current campaign. “It’s been a culmination of things this season, both for the team and me personally, for example the red cards. Sometimes simple things didn’t come off due to a lack of confidence or self-belief, which hadn’t been the case before. Things weren’t going smoothly until the change of coach,” he said.

The 05ers are now playing with one midfielder fewer as a result of Urs Fischer’s favoured 5-3-2 system: “At first look, it didn’t seem beneficial to me as we would lose a midfielder”, admitted Nebel. “However, I have felt really good out on the pitch over the last few games. I can get myself into the half-spaces but also drift out wide, whip in crosses, and take on players one-on-one.” All in all, a lot of positivity appears to have developed under Fischer.

“That helps me to see things from a different perspective”

Nebel didn’t beat himself up but instead chose to work through things in order to regain his old form. “I realised that I couldn’t have forgotten how to play but that I was just going through a rough patch. You have to accept that sometimes and see it as a learning process, which you have to fight your way out of.” His work with a mental coach, whom he speaks to every week to reflect on various issues, has also helped. “That helps me to see things from a different perspective, to work through them, and not to let them get to me so much, in order to come away from those kinds of situations even stronger.”

“Our target is a clear one”

Back to his best, Nebel now wants to experience another magical night alongside his team when they take on Sigma Olomouc in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League round-of-16 tie on Thursday evening (kick-off 18:45 CET). “We all know that the Bundesliga remains the priority. The Conference League is something of a bonus for us, which we worked hard for last year and have fought our way through this season. It is nice to have the chance to write a piece of history with the club of your youth.”

The side’s aim is clear: to win and reach the quarter-final. “We receive some added impetus in our own stadium with our fans spurring us on. I am looking forward to the game and the atmosphere and hope that we will all be able to celebrate together”, said Nebel, who is “super motivated” ahead of the second leg.

Great chance in two competitions

Focus will then return to the Bundesliga on Friday ahead of the visit of Eintracht Frankfurt to the MEWA ARENA for Sunday’s derby clash (kick-off 15:30 CET). “This week provides a superb chance, because we can make great strides in both competitions. We are very excited for it”, Nebel emphasised.