After 1. FSV Mainz 05’s final training session, the head coach once again gathered everyone together in a circle on the pitch at the Wörgl sports centre. Urs Fischer had praise for the entire group shortly before Wednesday’s return journey after ten days in Austria. “It was very good. The lads really bought into it, both in terms of intensity and performance,” the Swiss head coach later told the travelling journalists. For FSV’s travelling party, their time in Brixental will come to an end on Wednesday morning after breakfast. After returning to Bruchweg, the first-team players will enjoy a day off on Thursday before continuing with a training session on Friday and their next friendly against Paris FC at Bruchwegstadion on Saturday at 17:00.
That a satisfied head coach is the best indicator of a successful undertaking is something of a truism. And so the sporting director’s assessment came as little surprise either, as he spoke of a “very, very positive” summer training camp and added an example to underline his impression. “Alongside the sporting side, this is also about growing together. We have been here for nine days, and even this morning at 8:00 I only saw players in good spirits and with positive energy. That gives you a really good feeling that we are on the right path as a group,” said Niko Bungert. That, the former Mainz 05 captain added, did not mean everything had been perfect. “First and foremost, we worked hard, on our fitness but also in tactical areas. We are taking a lot from the friendlies: good things, but at the same time further areas to work on. That is hugely important at this stage, to be able to show these insights to the players using video clips,” Bungert continued.
"This gives a really good feeling that we as a group are on the right track."
It goes without saying that, for the sporting director, transfer business remains a focus alongside his daily observations of the sessions and many conversations. As is well known, however, FSV do not provide running updates. While the situation within the squad and on the market is being reassessed every day, and the club are receiving an enormous number of calls, Bungert said: “At the moment, we have the feeling that we have put together a very good team, one we could start the season with in good conscience.” That does not mean, however, that the current squad will necessarily be identical at the beginning of September. “There is a lot going on behind the scenes. Now comes the phase in which hierarchies and roles slowly start to emerge,” Bungert explained.
