“A dagger to all our hearts”

It was a disappointing night for everyone associated with Mainz as The Zerofivers suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg. Svensson’s side put in a decent performance in the opening stages of the first half but were rocked back after Tauer was sent from the field of play. It was ultimately a “devastating ten minutes leading up to half time” that cost Mainz, according to sporting director Martin Schmidt.

Reaction from the Volkswagen Arena:

Martin Schmidt: “I think we have to talk about the opening 20 minutes. The red card completely changed the game. We didn’t defend well for their opening goal but we could have made it 1-1 just a few moments later and we would have had a completely different game. The double punishment for the penalty was tough to take but technically the right decision if we are going by the letter of the law. After that, the game was in tatters, particularly after the devastating ten minutes leading up to half time. Being 5-0 down at half time was a horrible feeling. Bo remained calm at half time and made it clear that the player’s pride was at stake. He of course then made those four changes. We were more solid in the second half but after a game like that, it is clear that we need a deep analysis. We need to grit our teeth and go again in the next game. I am sure that the players and the coaching staff will manage that.”

“The penalty and the red card changed the game massively, but there was no reason for us to capitulate like we did,” the skipper.

Silvan Widmer: “We conceded an early goal but then had a massive chance to equalise. The penalty and the red card were hammer blows. After that, we lost our way and Wolfsburg seemed to score with every chance they had. We were dreadful defensively in that 15 minute period and 5-0 at the break was a dagger to all our hearts. The fans who travelled didn’t deserve to be put through that shambles. The coach remained calm at the break and we knew that it was just about pride in the second half. The second half was decent under the circumstances but if you analyse the whole game, it was a bad performance.”

Moussa Niakhaté: “There isn’t much to say after a game like that. Until the first goal we played pretty well. We conceded an early goal, which can happen. The penalty and the red card changed the game massively, but there was no reason for us to capitulate like we did. We have to put this behind us and learn from it, but that will be tough. We did the minimum in the second half to try and claw back some respect. We needed a reaction and we didn’t concede any more goals which was important under the circumstances.”

It was a disappointing night for everyone associated with Mainz as The Zerofivers suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg. Svensson’s side put in a decent performance in the opening stages of the first half but were rocked back after Tauer was sent from the field of play. It was ultimately a “devastating ten minutes leading up to half time” that cost Mainz, according to sporting director Martin Schmidt.

Reaction from the Volkswagen Arena:

Martin Schmidt: “I think we have to talk about the opening 20 minutes. The red card completely changed the game. We didn’t defend well for their opening goal but we could have made it 1-1 just a few moments later and we would have had a completely different game. The double punishment for the penalty was tough to take but technically the right decision if we are going by the letter of the law. After that, the game was in tatters, particularly after the devastating ten minutes leading up to half time. Being 5-0 down at half time was a horrible feeling. Bo remained calm at half time and made it clear that the player’s pride was at stake. He of course then made those four changes. We were more solid in the second half but after a game like that, it is clear that we need a deep analysis. We need to grit our teeth and go again in the next game. I am sure that the players and the coaching staff will manage that.”

Silvan Widmer: “We conceded an early goal but then had a massive chance to equalise. The penalty and the red card were hammer blows. After that, we lost our way and Wolfsburg seemed to score with every chance they had. We were dreadful defensively in that 15 minute period and 5-0 at the break was a dagger to all our hearts. The fans who travelled didn’t deserve to be put through that shambles. The coach remained calm at the break and we knew that it was just about pride in the second half. The second half was decent under the circumstances but if you analyse the whole game, it was a bad performance.”

Moussa Niakhaté: “There isn’t much to say after a game like that. Until the first goal we played pretty well. We conceded an early goal, which can happen. The penalty and the red card changed the game massively, but there was no reason for us to capitulate like we did. We have to put this behind us and learn from it, but that will be tough. We did the minimum in the second half to try and claw back some respect. We needed a reaction and we didn’t concede any more goals which was important under the circumstances.”