For followers of 1. FSV Mainz 05, this December feels unusually acquainted. A look on the standings may give supporters a double déjà vu. Twice previously 5 years, the Rheinhessen have been deeply mired within the relegation swamp on the similar time. Twice it seemed bleak. And twice, in the long run, every thing turned out otherwise. The query earlier than the basement duel towards FC St. Pauli is now: Will Mainz expertise such a miracle for the third time, or will or not it’s relegated to the second league this time?
The naked numbers initially converse clearly towards it. After 14 matchdays, Mainz is on the backside of the desk with solely seven factors. That is the clear document of a relegation candidate. They’re 4 factors behind sixteenth place, six factors from a non-relegation spot. And now, with St. Pauli, a direct competitor awaits, at the moment sitting within the relegation playoff spot.
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If Mainz wins, they’re again within the sport. If Mainz loses, the hole threatens to develop to seven factors. At present, it’s “solely” seven factors to a non-relegation spot as a result of the competitors from Augsburg additionally solely drew. Not one of the groups from tenth place, all of which ought to be wanting down, might win earlier than the Christmas break on Friday or Saturday.
📸 Adam Fairly – 2025 Getty Photographs
Mainz’s Second-Half Consultants
It is not a brand new feeling for Mainz to be knee-deep within the relegation battle simply earlier than Christmas. In 2020/21, they’d solely six factors after 14 matchdays. In 2023/24, it was at the least 9 – however nonetheless just one victory. But, each occasions the exceptional turnaround adopted. The frequent denominator was a training change and a second half of the season that was far above their common.
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In 2020/21, Bo Svensson took over from the fifteenth matchday and picked up a robust 33 factors from 19 video games. As twelfth, the Nullfünfer celebrated a assured survival. In 2023/24, Bo Henriksen got here in solely on the twenty second matchday, gathered 23 factors in 13 matches, and led Mainz to thirteenth place. Twice a “Bo” from Denmark saved the Rheinhessen. Now the hopes relaxation on an “Urs” from Switzerland.
Again to Success with the “Fundamentals”?
The talked about Urs Fischer may be very new within the place, however the first impressions are encouraging. Within the shocking 2:2 towards FC Bayern, Mainz offered itself as extraordinarily stable and, above all, passionate. Precisely what Fischer has stood for years. At Union Berlin, he established probably the greatest defenses within the league over a number of seasons, even one of the best along with Bayern in 2022/23. That he may stabilize Mainz shocks nobody.
Fischer himself lately set the tone. “It is about stability, compactness, and the fundamentals,” he made clear. Within the 2:0 victory towards Samsunspor within the Convention League, it additionally grew to become obvious that extra than simply harm management is feasible. “That was our greatest efficiency of the season,” mentioned Nadiem Amiri, captain Silvan Widmer spoke of a “constructive angle” that should be carried ahead. Regardless of being in 18th place, there’s a slight tailwind within the southwest of the republic.
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A Six-Level Sport from the Textbook
Nonetheless, Mainz can even want that. As a result of FC St. Pauli can also be touring to Rheinhessen with confidence. After the cup victory in Gladbach and the draw towards Cologne, they secured their first Bundesliga win for the reason that third matchday towards Heidenheim final weekend. The Kiezkicker have confirmed that they will tackle and win basement duels even when outnumbered.
Within the Mewa Area, it is all or nothing. Both the beginning place within the relegation battle earlier than the winter break is nearly reset to zero – or Mainz heads into the vacations with a heavy burden.
To make up a seven-point deficit simply to succeed in sixteenth place after the brand new yr, they would want some extent haul just like what Svensson and Henriksen as soon as achieved. So, one other miracle could be wanted. And since these do not come round typically, a greater beginning place ought to positively be performed out towards St. Pauli.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 KARL-JOSEF HILDENBRAND – AFP or licensors