Most recently, Mainz suffered two significant defeats against FC Bayern. In the last home game of the year, the Zero Fives found their home strength again against the record champions – also because the measures they had introduced were successful.
Bo Henriksen was happy after the victory over FC Bayern.
IMAGO/Sven Simon
FSV Mainz 05 experienced a first half to forget on October 30th in the second round of the cup. Bayern scored four times before the break, after which they switched to energy-saving mode and thus spared the Zero Fives the next debacle after the 1:8 in the league in March. 45 days later, the record champions were guests again, this time in the league – and this time it was Mainz who led at the break. In the end, a brace from Jae-Sung Lee ensured the sixth win of the season.
A lot happened in Rheinhessen in these 45 days. Since then, the Mainz team has had a series of four unbeaten games (three wins, one draw), which was only ended in the wild 3:4 in Wolfsburg last Sunday. But even away from the scoreboard, sports director Niko Bungert noticed a development and saw “a completely different team compared to the cup game”.
Actions bring self-confidence
The team has “developed incredible self-confidence in the last few weeks, that didn’t happen to us, we took the right steps,” explained the ex-professional Sky. Through these measures, a “completely different level of sovereignty was built up and more and more quality was achieved in all areas”. It all culminated in the “icing on the cake,” as Bungert described the 2-1 win against FC Bayern.
And that despite the fact that Jonathan Burkardt was no longer able to continue after a great chance with muscular problems in his back thigh. However, the loss of the ten-time goalscorer, who had to sit out at the end of October due to a thigh injury, was not noticeable on the field. “The team is simply stable right now. We can compensate for failures, including in other parts of the team,” was Bungert’s explanation. “We definitely didn’t really let ourselves get dragged down.”
Konrad Lamer looks upset, Vincent Kompany turns away – Bo Henriksen cheers exuberantly.
IMAGO/Sven Simon
Mainz is not dying a slow death
Quite the opposite. Mainz remained aggressive and was very stable defensively. “We were really good tactically, we were there and that’s important when you play against Bayern Munich,” Bo Henriksen praised his team. But the Dane didn’t want to rely solely on defending, he had already announced that before the game, because: “If you only defend against Bayern, you will die a slow death.”
So Henriksen kept pushing his team forward. “If you are there, if you have calmness and courage, then it is possible,” explained the FSV coach. “I think the most important thing in football is that you have the courage to have the ball.” His players proved this, especially Lee, who was left on the bench for 90 minutes in the cup. The South Korean netted twice and secured the fourth win in the last five league home games against FC Bayern.
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