After ten weeks without top flight football in Germany, the Bundesliga finally returns at the weekend! Mainz’s first competitive match of 2023 comes away at VfB Stuttgart- the place where FSV’s Bundesliga journey began on 8th August 2004. Tenth-placed Mainz are currently five points clear of sixteenth-placed Stuttgart in the table after 15 matches. Bo Svensson was upbeat as he spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon and the Dane is clearly looking forward to the second half of the season. “After such a long break, it almost feels like the start of a new season. We have prepared well, we have a good level of fitness and there is a great atmosphere in the team. I have a good feeling but we’ll have to see what happens in the games themselves.”
Around 1,800 Zerofivers are set to make the trip to Baden-Württemberg to cheer on their team at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
A slight change of system with familiar personnel
Bo Svensson is fully aware of the tough test that awaits his side on Saturday. “Stuttgart are a very good opponent. They have quality at both ends of the pitch. In order to prepare for the game we have closely analysed their style of play under the new coach and a few things have changed,” explained the gaffer. Stuttgart reappointed Bruno Labbadia back in December for his second spell as head coach. The 56-year-old was previously in charge of the Swabians from 2010-2013. Despite the change of leadership, Svensson believes Stuttgart have “enormous quality, whether it’s Labbadia in charge or someone else.”
A few things have changed in terms of the system and some players are in different positions, but on the whole, the players are the same.
Svensson has also noticed a few changes in Stuttgart’s style of play since Labbadia took over. Stuttgart seem to have settled on a system after taking a more pragmatic approach in the first half of the season. “At the top of the pitch, Stuttgart have two fast players in Silas and Tiago Tomás, who can be dangerous in one-on-one situations. They also have a proper number nine in Serhou Guirassy, who is really strong in the air. A few things have changed in terms of the system and some players are in different positions, but on the whole, the players are the same.”
Players missing in attack
Svensson also gave squad updates in Thursday’s presser. Jonny Burkardt, Marlon Mustapha and Delano Burgzorg will all miss out at the weekend. The boss explained that “although Burkardt is making progress, things aren’t moving as quickly as we first hoped.”
When asked if youngsters Ben Bobzien, Brajan Gruda and Nelson Weiper could be called up to replace the injured trio, Svensson made it clear that there is no universal solution. “There’s more to it than just throwing them in there. They have different strengths and play in different positions.” According to the gaffer, the priority is making sure the young players aren’t rushed into the side too quickly: “It’s great that we have them available but we don’t want to put too much of a burden on their young shoulders. We have a lot of experienced players who can play in different positions, even with the absence of Marlon, Delano and Jonny,” explained the 43-year-old.
Zentner doubtful, Stach available
Robin Zentner, who has been struggling with back problems this week, is doubtful for Saturday. “He has trained a bit this week but he hasn’t fully participated in team training. We will test him out in the final session tomorrow but Finn will play if he isn’t quite there,” said Svensson.
We have lots of games on the horizon so it’s important to be able to rotate the squad
There was, however, good news regarding Anton Stach. The midfielder has fully taken part in training this week following his rehabilitation and is pain-free. According to the gaffer, Stach’s availability is crucial with the amount of games that are coming up: “We have lots of games on the horizon so it’s important to be able to rotate the squad. We want to use our players in the right way so that they are always fit when they’re on the pitch. We will take a look at Stachi to see when it will work.” The Dane went on to explain that although many players are performing well in training, he will not shy away from making the right call with regards to squad selection: “I don’t have a headache because of that. They will all play a role during this busy schedule. It’s just part of the business if one or two are disappointed.”
Finding the right balance for the busy schedule
After the trip to Stuttgart, Mainz will host Borussia Dortmund at the MEWA ARENA on the Wednesday (25th January, 18:30 CET), followed by VfL Bochum on the Saturday (28th January, 15:30 CET). They will then face Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal (Wednesday, 1st February, 20:45 CET), followed by Union Berlin in the Bundesliga (Saturday, 4th January, 15:30 CET). Although Svensson revealed he has spoken to the players about the goals for the new year, he didn’t go into the specifics. “We are physically, and hopefully mentally prepared for these fixtures. The same XI won’t always be able to play so we will need strength-in-depth to deliver what sets us apart.”
Consistency on the pitch, patience in the transfer window
Another clear priority for Svensson is to make sure his side are more consistent. “We caused lots of teams problems in the first half the season but we were too often unable to build on good performances. We have to address that, motivate the boys and show them that they are capable of performing. That is the key for us.”
It has not yet be clarified as to whether FSV will be bringing in a new striker in the window: “We don’t bring in a player just to have another one in the squad. If it isn’t the right fit and he won’t strengthen us, then we won’t make the move,” explained the head coach. This was the exact approach that Mainz took when signing Andreas Hanche-Olsen, and Svensson was full of praise for the Norwegian in Thursday’s presser: “Andreas has settled in well. He is a proper defender. He is aggressive, fast and can play in a back four or in a back five. He takes responsibility, he works hard and his attitude and personality fit with Mainz 05.”