Rieß: "I was really moved"

Lass Rieß’s phone was popping off constantly on Sunday evening as congratulatory messages flooded in following his Bundesliga debut between the sticks for 1. FSV Mainz 05 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.The 23-year-old only learned of the fact that he would be handed the moment towards which he had been working since his childhood a couple hours before kick-off, as a result of muscular problems meaning Robin Zentner would be unable to feature.

He stepped out onto the Bundesliga stage for the first time to be met by a raucous MEWA ARENA reception ahead of the local derby clash. “I have been playing football my whole life with this moment in mind and I am really pleased to have achieved it now and realised my dream of playing in the Bundesliga.”

Even the warm-up, running out onto the field in front of a noisy crowd, was a moment to savour. Things got underway shortly afterwards, with Rieß demonstrating full concentration in spite of some undoubted nerves to deny Hugo Ekitiké from close range as he was called upon for the first time just two minutes into the contest. Briefly after that incident, he showcased impressive awareness to rush out off his box to clear the ball. “That didn’t just fill me with confidence but also provided my teammates with that sense, as well. That let them know that they could rely on me.” The 23-year-old viewed the 1-1 draw as a decent result when all was said and done. “We seem to just be lacking that stroke of luck you need to win games right now.” Despite conceding, the keeper is able to look back on a successful debut appearance. “Not everything went to plan, of course. However, I think I did well.”

An emotional debut

It was after full time that the emotions really started to hit as Rieß was able to first fully realise the achievement he had made. “I wasn’t letting the occasion get to me. While there was obviously pressure, I did not put any added on myself. I knew that my family and friends were proud of me. My teammates told me that I did a good job and the entire coaching staff as well.” The 23-year-old was close to tears as everything came over him. “I was really moved by it all and was just so pleased to have lived my childhood dream.”

These kind of stories are rather common in Mainz, but never get any less special with each new debutant. Rieß joined Mainz at the age of 11, stemming from the small town of Nieder-Olm, situated only about 14 kilometres from Mainz. “I attended IGS Mainz-Bretzenheim, which is the partner school of Mainz 05. I couple of my school mates have also played for Mainz. When I left Nieder-Olm, I was playing as a striker.” Rieß was given the chance to demonstrate both his abilities as an outfield player and as a goalkeeper when he first arrived at Bruchweg, but it was between the sticks where he really stood out to the 05ers’ coaches. “I always wanted to play for Mainz and then got that call one day.” During the 2012/13 season, Rieß was part of the Mainz U12 squad, featuring alongside Niklas Tauer and Mey Papela, among others.

With his boyhood club since 2012

FSV was the club Rieß supported growing up. “Former Mainz striker Petr Ruman led a couple training sessions with us back in Nieder-Olm as part of his earning his coaching license. My personal connection to Mainz 05 really stemmed from there.” Ruman also organised for Rieß and his teammates in Nieder-Olm to be mascots for a first team match at the Bruchwegstadion, with Rieß holding the hand of Miroslav Karhan as he entered the pitch before a derby fixture with Kaiserslautern. From that day onwards, he was obsessed with the 05ers.

The aim of going professional was one that steadily developed for the now six-foot-four goalkeeper, including in terms of mental preparation. “I had not known for some time what it would really take to make it. First and foremost, it was about making the step up to the next age group,” explained Rieß. Important also was the way in which he dealt with setbacks and challenges. As one of the younger players in the U19s, he had to operate for a season as back-up to regular keeper Marius Liesegang. Bo Svensson also criticised the young stopper’s application of his talent during his time as youth coach with the 05ers. “I know what Bo meant by what he said to me. I lacked perspective due to simply progressing through the age groups each year. I could have developed better athletically and only began to train with my left foot rather late on. I should have worked on honing this attention to detail earlier, which provides the utmost level of professionalism. Nevertheless, the challenges I faced, including that year I spent sitting on the bench, only served me for the better.”

Everything came together with the U23s

Things started to click for Rieß during his time in Mainz’s U23 team. “I ultimately realised at this point that I had the chance to make it and should give it everything I have.” Sven Hoffmeister played a key role in his development, closely working with the young stopper throughout his time in the academy as the head goalkeeping coach for the youth teams. “I spent a lot of time with Hoffe from when I played in the U15s until the U23s.” His technique as a goalkeeper was enhanced during his academy days, before: “Kuhni rather makes a man out of you in first-team training,” as Rieß describes working with Mainz’s long-time goalkeeping coach. The young keeper’s athleticism, physicality, expectations and workload continue to develop. “You reach the first team with great teaching behind you but then need to keep at it.” 

Patience is also a key attribute for a new player in the first-team set-up. Especially since there is only one goalkeeper slot available, meaning academy players have a decreased chance of breaking into the team. “It is really important that Mainz 05 has an U23 side. Robin played for them in the third division, fighting for his place in the senior squad. Finn also featured for the U23s and had spent a long time as a back-up,” explained Rieß regarding the journey that a young goalkeeper has to undertake. “Goalkeepers can still be up-and-coming at 23 so I have time on my side and know that an opportunity will arise at some stage. You need the right timing and a stroke of luck for that to happen.” Rieß aims to focus on continuing to work hard: “Every friendly match is also crucial for my development. I truly believe that one day I will be able to regularly play between the sticks.”

Strong foundations and full of confidence for the future

Why is it that so many young goalkeepers from Mainz 05 make it in the Bundesliga? “It is a really attractive prospect to young goalkeepers that Mainz gives you the chance to establish yourself in the top flight. That is the key difference, because Mainz does not look to sign keepers from other teams and rather looks first to those in the academy. Obviously, the goalkeepers also need to have been coached well but that is where Hoffe and Kuhni make their mark. Mainz 05 are certainly well set up in this regard.” 

The 23-year-old’s primary aim is to establish himself as a Bundesliga goalkeeper and making his debut against Eintracht provided him with a further dose of self-confidence towards achieving this target. “It is important to me that I show what I can do and that I belong at this level. The club has also seen that they can rely on me when needed. I can now build from this in the hope of ultimately becoming a regular Bundesliga goalkeeper one day. I know that this won’t simply be the case going forward from right now but I will continue to work hard to keep improving. Let’s see what the future has in store for me,” said Rieß.