Mainz 05 Coach Stands by Team After Heavy Loss

Support Amidst a Difficult Result

Mainz 05’s manager, Urs Fischer, emphasized his unwavering faith in his team following the heavy 4-0 defeat against Borussia Dortmund. He reassured everyone that while the loss marked the end of a three-match winning streak in the Bundesliga, it was not a catastrophic setback. Thanks to the points accumulated under his leadership, the team remains comfortably above the relegation zone.

Performance Analysis

Despite the significant scoreline, the match statistics depict a different narrative. Mainz recorded a 1.51 expected goals (xG) compared to Dortmund’s 2.32, suggesting the score did not fully reflect the match’s competitiveness. In the post-match press conference, Fischer expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance, reinforcing the idea that they had prepared thoroughly for this encounter.

Insights from the Coach

“I witnessed a commendable first half from my squad,” Fischer noted during the press conference. “The opening 45 minutes were balanced. We clearly need to enhance our defending, especially on set-pieces. We have to utilize our bodies more effectively and improve our positioning. We thoroughly analyzed Dortmund’s set plays, yet ultimately, the set-pieces decided the match. It’s essential to defend better in those scenarios.”

Goalkeeper’s Performance

The goalkeeper, chosen by Fischer himself as the new starter, had a particularly challenging match. Batz inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net for the second goal and struggled to handle the play leading to the third goal. Nonetheless, Fischer defended the 35-year-old, highlighting that he made critical saves during a period of intense pressure from Dortmund, stopping attempts from Felix Nmecha, Maximilian Beier, and Julian Brandt within a short span in the second half.

“Certainly, the goalkeeper should work on creating more space for himself,” Fischer commented. “However, he also needs support from his teammates.”

Looking Ahead

Fischer indicated that he would not curtail the players’ scheduled day off, allowing the team to partake in upcoming carnival festivities in the city early next week. Contrary to what often happens when coaches react to poor performances by rescheduling training sessions, Fischer doesn’t view the situation as dire enough to warrant such measures.

“There is life beyond football,” Fischer said. “We will objectively review this game, just as we have with previous matches. There are aspects to discuss, scrutinize, and improve. After the carnival celebrations, our focus will shift to a tough home match against Hamburger SV.”