A treat for the fans after the first training session

FSV Mainz got their pre-season training underway on Tuesday evening. The three new arrivals Danny da Costa, Anthony Caci and Maxim Leitsch all took part in the session (Aymen Barkok is on an extended break), as did young talents Ben Bobzien, Eniss Shabani, Nelson Weiper and Philipp Schulz, who all signed their first professional contracts with the club in recent weeks. It was a relaxed opening session for the Zerofivers, who have a busy summer schedule ahead. The 350 or so fans in attendance at the Bruchwegstadion were treated to autographs and selfies afterwards.

Just as head coach Bo Svensson rounded off the session with a team talk in the centre circle, the gates from the stands opened and the fans were able to come onto the pitch to get autographs, take selfies with their heroes and even take a shot at goal in the Bruchwegstadion.

It was planned ahead of time that the fans would be allowed to come on the pitch and it was a way of showing the special connection between the players and the supporters in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. “There were lots of kids and everything was good,” explained a relaxed Bo Svensson, who took the time to meet and greet as many fans as possible before he started his mammoth media round.

First Friendly on Saturday in Geisenheim

It was a relaxed 70 minute session, which focussed on getting a feel for the ball and included mini-game-like scenarios. The squad was far from complete as Jonathan Burkardt, Anton Stach, Leandro Barreiro and Silvan Widmer, who were all away on international duty, are on an extended break until 10th July. The workload will increase over the coming days and weeks, starting with a friendly against 1. FC Kiedrich in Geisenheim on Saturday 25th June.