Posch: "Want to repay the faith"

This past week, Mainz welcomed their third new signing of the winter transfer period. Stefan Posch joined the club on loan from Como 1907, providing reinforcement to the 05ers’ back line. The Austrian’s quality was already evident in the most recent Bundesliga fixture against VfL Wolfsburg, not only making the starting line-up but also playing the duration of proceedings. Chemistry both on and off the pitch has formed with ease despite the few training sessions spent with the team so far, as the 28-year-old reported: “The boys have made it very easy for me and have helped me out a lot. I already know two of my teammates in Phillipp Mwene, from the Austria national team, and Nadiem Amiri, with whom I played at Hoffenheim. That has made things even easier”, explained the new signing regarding his first few days in Mainz.

“Not in an easy place”

Posch cited a number of reasons for his decision to make the move to Mainz in the winter: “I did not receive so much playing time in Como and only a few brief appearances. That made me take things into consideration, also with regard to the World Cup this coming summer, which I would like to be part of with Austria. He ended up being most impressed by what the 05ers had to offer: “I had multiple proposals, but the way things are done here suited me best and conversations that took place were positive. We are obviously not in an easy place, but I hope that I can help out with this relegation battle, and I would like to repay that faith.”

Working with head coach Urs Fischer was another aspect that the new signing perceived as positive: “His approach with the team and the way in which he gives us an understanding of his ideas on how football should be played is really great. He brought the team out of a difficult situation and implemented a clear structure, while sparking change. That is what characterises him.”

World Cup in his sights

With an eye on the World Cup, which will take place this year in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the Austrian and his nation have a shared goal. After qualifying in November 2025, the country will participate in a World Cup for the first time since 1998. Posch has full conviction in head coach Ralf Rangnick and his approach: “We have a clear plan, and everyone knows what their job is. I think people have also seen from the outside how we have matured and grown together as a team over the course of the past few years.” The defender details the ambitious goals harboured by the Austrians: “We don’t just want to turn up, we want to make our mark on the tournament.” 

The defender brings experience of competing on the continent with him to Mainz. Before his stint with Como, Mainz’s new signing also featured for Bologna and on loan at Atalanta, racking up more than 90 Serie A appearances. Posch remarks on one or two differences between German and Italian football: “In Italy, everything is shaped somewhat more by tactics and control of the ball, therefore games with fewer goals are hardly a rarity. In the Bundesliga, things more often swing back and forth, and the intensity is higher. As a result, more mistakes tend to be made.”

“We want to make things as unpleasant as possible for Leipzig”

The 28-year-old is confident with regard to securing the team’s top-flight status: “I am convinced that this team possesses more quality than its current league position suggests. We proved that against Wolfsburg, since we gave a dominant showing and deservedly won the game. If we do precisely that in the coming games again and again then we will be on the right track.” The next task for Mainz is a trip to face RB Leipzig this coming Saturday (15:30 CET). Posch is anticipating a tricky affair but nevertheless sees chances arising for the 05ers: “We know that we won’t have it easy there. Nonetheless, we want to make things as unpleasant as possible for Leipzig and whatever stems from that is to be seen.”