Henriksen: “It’s always a challenge and we have to be ready”

With the team rested and recovered after the international break, excitement building around the game and a new option going forwards in William Bøving, Bo Henriksen was in a great mood in his press conference ahead of the home fixture against RB Leipzig at the MEWA ARENA on Saturday (15:30 CEST).

1. FSV Mainz 05 are aiming to once again bring enough intensity on as well as off the ball as they face an RB Leipzig side with a new head coach in Ole Werner and a former 05er in their ranks in Ridle Baku. Mainz have so far failed to secure a league win this season after two Bundesliga matchdays played. However, the performances against Köln and Wolfsburg have left Henriksen feeling optimistic: “At our best, we’re capable of beating anybody,” said the head coach.

Henriksen on...

... Robin Zentner’s fitness: “He has to train today, if he wants to play tomorrow. We’ll try it out later and see how it goes. We do, however, have a great second-choice keeper in Lasse Rieß. He’s absolutely ready if Robin isn’t able to play.”

... a possible debut for William Bøving and his first impressions on the new signing: “We have three players unavailable in Paul Nebel, Benedict Hollerbach and Jae-sung Lee. There are opportunities here to try out something new. Armindo Sieb, Ben Bobzien and Sota Kawasaki are all really good options. We have a lot of exciting possibilities in this regard, but William is 100% ready. He’s had the chance to show us what he’s capable of and he’s proven that he’s an absolute running machine, which really stood out to us.”

“Last season in Austria, he was just incredible, and he produced a lot of goals and assists. He’s so good in the half spaces, he’s quick, runs a lot and plays with great intensity. That’s so important to us. We really want to exploit these half spaces, and so he fits into our system really well. Of course, he’s going to have to take some time adjusting to life in the Bundesliga, but he’s such a great player. He’ll be in the squad tomorrow and will definitely make his debut for Mainz. How many minutes exactly, we’ll wait and see.”

... the plan against Leipzig: “They have a lot of great attacking talent, and on deadline day they even brought in a Dane in the form of Conrad Harder! It’s important that we defend really well. Leipzig will play their game, and it’s crucial that we press effectively. They’re likely to apply a lot of pressure high up the pitch, and so we absolutely need to stay calm in possession. It’s going to be a difficult game against a fantastic team, as is every game in the Bundesliga. But when we’re at our best, we’re capable of beating anybody.”

... Nadiem Amiri’s first goal for the Germany national team: “Of course, I was thrilled to see that. I spoke with him on the phone before the game and he promised me that he would do something special if he got the chance to come on. It’s not just a good thing for us, but for the national side as well. If he’s in the squad, if he’s 100% fit and in the right headspace, he’s simply extraordinary. It was an unbelievable sight to see him celebrating with Paul, it gave me goosebumps. This is football, this is life, this is emotion, and it was just so incredible to watch. We want to see the same scenes here in Mainz! I hope Nadiem brings that magic back with him; he has to bring his A-game again tomorrow. 

... the possible pressure to see results after two league games without a win: “The performance is always, always the most important thing. We played really well against Köln, and we were incredible in the second half against Wolfsburg. We should have won both of those games. And so if we produce that kind of performance again, we should win. We haven’t had much luck in the Bundesliga so far. It’s so important that we run a lot, win our second balls and bring enough intensity to the game, if we do that then I’ll be happy. We have a great squad, but it’s always a challenge and we have to be ready. Leipzig have a brilliant team as well.”