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Mainz are set to welcome FC Augsburg to the MEWA ARENA on Saturday for this year’s Carnival home game (11th February, 15:30 CET). The Zerofivers will be looking to create a party-like atmosphere as they adorn the special festive jerseys. After two mid-week matches to contend with over the past fortnight, FSV are back to normal in terms of their training schedule. Svensson explained in Thursday’s presser that his side have “used this week in order to get the automatisms back into place.” The boss also outlined how his side are preparing for a tough test on Saturday: “Mainz versus Augsburg is often a game in which the duels are tough. It will be no different this time around,” said the Dane.
A new system in place but clear ideas
The gaffer was full compliments for an Augsburg side that are characterised by their physicality, their ability to create one-on-one situations and their ability to get it down and play. “Both in terms of their individual quality and their tactics as a team, they have the capacity to create problems for whoever they face,” said Svensson. The 43-year-old also warned that FCA have strengthened their squad in the transfer window. Enrico Maaßen’s side made seven signings during the winter break, including Dion Beljo and Arne Engels, who Svensson believes will have a “positive influence” on the Augsburg team.
I think that they have made a good account of themselves since the winter break
“They have found their feet and they have strengthened their squad. Maybe their competition for places has increased through their signings. I can’t put myself in their shoes but I think that they have made a good impression of themselves since the winter break,” said Svensson, referring to the fact that the Fuggerstädter have picked up six points from their four matches in 2023.
Finding the right configuration
The Dane made it clear that Saturday’s game against Augsburg is an important one, not least because the sides are next to each other in the Bundesliga table. He pointed out that both sides are aware of this fact and his side will do all they can to bring a good performance. Mainz are currently sat in 12th on 23 points, whereas Augsburg are in 13th on 21. “Both sides know how important it is to turn games like these in your favour. They are often tight matches,” said Svensson.
They are often tight matches
The boss also has the added pressure of dealing with the injuries that are currently blighting his squad. Accordingly, the Dane knows he will have to find the right solution: “We will try to find the right balance in order to put in a good performance on Saturday,” he explained.
Question marks surrounding Zentner, Kohr and Widmer
Although he went off with a knock against Union, Danny da Costa is available for selection. Dominik Kohr, who suffered a heavy fall at the Alte Försterei, and Robin Zentner, who has recently missed out with a back injury, were both able to train on Thursday afternoon. Although he didn’t rule them out completely, Svensson explained that he’ll “have to see how they get on” in the final two sessions before the game.
According to the Dane, Zentner has been “put through his paces” by goalkeeping coach Stephan Kuhnert and the keeper will attempt to take part in the full session on Thursday. “If he’s able to fully take part then we’ll be able to see what kind of shape he’s in. He is not an inexperienced goalkeeper but the first hurdle is today’s session.” Dominik Kohr has found it “difficult to move” over the last few days after his heavy fall but he has made vast improvements over the last 48 hours, which is why he was able to train on Thursday. Silvan Widmer, however, had to miss out but will take part on Friday. “He will see what he can do in tomorrow’s session. We’ll see after that if he’s able to play at the weekend.”
Burkardt still out, Burgzorg on the mend
Delano Burgzorg has returned to the training ground in a limited capacity but should be able to make a full return from next week. The wait for Jonny Burkardt’s return will unfortunately go on a little while longer: “”It’s not quite moving as quickly as we first hoped with Jonny. He won’t be available over the next few weeks,” confirmed Svensson.
According to the head coach, patience is the order of the day with regards to Jonny Burkardt: “It’s not easy for him when the deadline keeps getting pushed back and he can feel that his body isn’t ready. Everyone who knows Jonny will know that he loves being out on the pitch. The team is missing him and it’s not ideal because it’s out of his hands at the moment.”
The new signings on a good path
The full training week has come at a good time for Ludovic Ajorque and Andreas Hanche-Olsen, who are both still finding their feet. Both players arrived in Mainz and were faced with an intense run of games almost immediately. Ajorque had just one training session before he made his debut against Borussia Dortmund and then FSV had an intense run of fixtures with few training sessions in between.
Ajorque is in new country with a new language barrier and Svensson can fully empathise with the Frenchman’s situation: “Ludovic came in and had to fit into a new team within a matter of days. That is not easy. It’s also the case for Andreas, who arrived off the back of an injury. We’ve already seen what they can bring to the side.” The Dane pointed out that he believes the new arrivals have done well since they came into the team and that the full training week will have given them more time to find their feet.
Mainz are set to welcome FC Augsburg to the MEWA ARENA on Saturday for this year’s Carnival home game (11th February, 15:30 CET). The Zerofivers will be looking to create a party-like atmosphere as they adorn the special festive jerseys. After two mid-week matches to contend with over the past fortnight, FSV are back to normal in terms of their training schedule. Svensson explained in Thursday’s presser that his side have “used this week in order to get the automatisms back into place.” The boss also outlined how his side are preparing for a tough test on Saturday: “Mainz versus Augsburg is often a game in which the duels are tough. It will be no different this time around,” said the Dane.
A new system in place but clear ideas
The gaffer was full compliments for an Augsburg side that are characterised by their physicality, their ability to create one-on-one situations and their ability to get it down and play. “Both in terms of their individual quality and their tactics as a team, they have the capacity to create problems for whoever they face,” said Svensson. The 43-year-old also warned that FCA have strengthened their squad in the transfer window. Enrico Maaßen’s side made seven signings during the winter break, including Dion Beljo and Arne Engels, who Svensson believes will have a “positive influence” on the Augsburg team.
I think that they have made a good account of themselves since the winter break
“They have found their feet and they have strengthened their squad. Maybe their competition for places has increased through their signings. I can’t put myself in their shoes but I think that they have made a good impression of themselves since the winter break,” said Svensson, referring to the fact that the Fuggerstädter have picked up six points from their four matches in 2023.
Finding the right configuration
The Dane made it clear that Saturday’s game against Augsburg is an important one, not least because the sides are next to each other in the Bundesliga table. He pointed out that both sides are aware of this fact and his side will do all they can to bring a good performance. Mainz are currently sat in 12th on 23 points, whereas Augsburg are in 13th on 21. “Both sides know how important it is to turn games like these in your favour. They are often tight matches,” said Svensson.
They are often tight matches
The boss also has the added pressure of dealing with the injuries that are currently blighting his squad. Accordingly, the Dane knows he will have to find the right solution: “We will try to find the right balance in order to put in a good performance on Saturday,” he explained.
Question marks surrounding Zentner, Kohr and Widmer
Although he went off with a knock against Union, Danny da Costa is available for selection. Dominik Kohr, who suffered a heavy fall at the Alte Försterei, and Robin Zentner, who has recently missed out with a back injury, were both able to train on Thursday afternoon. Although he didn’t rule them out completely, Svensson explained that he’ll “have to see how they get on” in the final two sessions before the game.
According to the Dane, Zentner has been “put through his paces” by goalkeeping coach Stephan Kuhnert and the keeper will attempt to take part in the full session on Thursday. “If he’s able to fully take part then we’ll be able to see what kind of shape he’s in. He is not an inexperienced goalkeeper but the first hurdle is today’s session.” Dominik Kohr has found it “difficult to move” over the last few days after his heavy fall but he has made vast improvements over the last 48 hours, which is why he was able to train on Thursday. Silvan Widmer, however, had to miss out but will take part on Friday. “He will see what he can do in tomorrow’s session. We’ll see after that if he’s able to play at the weekend.”
Burkardt still out, Burgzorg on the mend
Delano Burgzorg has returned to the training ground in a limited capacity but should be able to make a full return from next week. The wait for Jonny Burkardt’s return will unfortunately go on a little while longer: “”It’s not quite moving as quickly as we first hoped with Jonny. He won’t be available over the next few weeks,” confirmed Svensson.
According to the head coach, patience is the order of the day with regards to Jonny Burkardt: “It’s not easy for him when the deadline keeps getting pushed back and he can feel that his body isn’t ready. Everyone who knows Jonny will know that he loves being out on the pitch. The team is missing him and it’s not ideal because it’s out of his hands at the moment.”
The new signings on a good path
The full training week has come at a good time for Ludovic Ajorque and Andreas Hanche-Olsen, who are both still finding their feet. Both players arrived in Mainz and were faced with an intense run of games almost immediately. Ajorque had just one training session before he made his debut against Borussia Dortmund and then FSV had an intense run of fixtures with few training sessions in between.
Ajorque is in new country with a new language barrier and Svensson can fully empathise with the Frenchman’s situation: “Ludovic came in and had to fit into a new team within a matter of days. That is not easy. It’s also the case for Andreas, who arrived off the back of an injury. We’ve already seen what they can bring to the side.” The Dane pointed out that he believes the new arrivals have done well since they came into the team and that the full training week will have given them more time to find their feet.
