Zentner: No-one wants to say ‘It was nice while it lasted’

Robin Zentner is a club legend at 1. FSV Mainz 05. For years, he has been the undisputed number one at FSV and a key part of Bo Henriksen’s team. Recently, the iconic figure broke a club record by playing his 214th competitive game for Mainz, overtaking Manfred “Moppes” Petz in the list of record appearances for a goalkeeper. Only Stephan Kuhnert (295 games) and Dimo Wache (406) are above Zentner on the list now. When asked whether he can get to the top of the list, the 30-year- old answered with a chuckle: “I’d need to play for quite a few more years to manage that, and ideally play in as many competitions as possible for as long as possible,” adding: “It’s something special and a very nice feeling. Every game that I can add is a bonus. The match against Köln was incredible; the atmosphere was once again fantastic, even if the result didn’t go our way.”

On Thursday (21:00 CEST), a personal milestone awaits Zentner – his home European debut at the MEWA ARENA in the second leg of the Conference League play-off tie with Rosenborg BK. His 215th competitive game will also fulfil a dream for the goalkeeper: “I’m going into my 20th season here, I think, and I’ve always been driven to be the best version of myself. While the Bundesliga is our top priority, taking part in a European competition gives us the chance to put the club further in the spotlight and become even more attractive.”

“Everything at stake”

The game against the Norwegians in the all but sold-out MEWA ARENA will be the fourth game in a jam-packed opening two weeks to the season, and it’s very much make or break. With a victory by two or more goals after 90 minutes, FSV will secure their place in the league phase of the Conference League. Ultimately though, how they get there doesn’t matter – whether it’s decided in normal time, or in extra-time, or penalties: “We have the fans right behind us in a game in which everything is at stake. Not a single one of us wants to have to say: ‘It was nice while it lasted, but that’s that.’ We want to do this as a team, together with the fans, while gathering as much European experience as we possibly can,” said Zentner, who also spoke about what’s important to focus on following the 2-1 loss in Trondheim: “The memories of that last-minute defeat are still fresh. Of course, we know what can’t be allowed to happen again, and where Rosenborg’s strengths lie. We showed a very different presence in the box against Köln already. That’s the foundation for creating chances, getting into good positions and putting the ball into really dangerous areas. Our set-pieces were better and more threatening too – that’s something we need to build on. If we stamp our authority on the game, then I’m convinced it will be in our own hands,” explained Zentner.

The extra day of rest compared to the previous week has also helped the team mentally, he added. The busy schedule – with an away trip to Wolfsburg on Sunday (15:30 CEST) already looming – isn’t a physical problem for the goalkeeper either. “From my point of view, we’re in great shape and we’ve looked fresh in every game so far. No matter how long it takes on Thursday, I’m certain we’ll give 100 percent and be able to go again. Anything less would be disappointing.” Zentner urged the team to embrace the occasion: “We have to see this game as a big opportunity and approach it in a positive way. We need to prepare ourselves as best we can, physically and mentally, so that we’re ready to throw everything into it. We want to make it happen – so that the weeks and months to come become a real experience for the fans, the city and the entire club.”