Transfer market interview
© Imago
In around a month it is clear where the journey is going for the 1st FSV Mainz 05 and Nikolas. The next opponent is the probably new German champion FC Bayern (Sat., 3:30 p.m.). In the transfer market interview, the 22-year-old Austrian talks about its increasing importance, the culinary factor in discussions with zero fifls, his relationship with coach Bo Henriksen and the qualification for international business.
Transfer market: Nikolas, they have been on the pitch regularly since the 27th matchday, even in the starting XI twice in a row. What is going better for you than before?
Nikolas spoiled: I just feel more comfortable and play football free. I was well received by the team from day one. In the beginning I had a few problems with injuries and ailments and found it difficult to find on the track. But now I feel in top shape and ready.
Transfer market: They have been able to win with Mainz 05 in the past four weeks since they got playing time, but have not experienced, the wave of success has been slightly subsided. We hope you see no direct connection?
Veratschnig: No, no, I was already on the pitch when we won. That’s why I don’t think so. (laughs)
Transfer market: Soothing. As a favorite position, they have referred to the left or right-back in a chain of five. At the 0-2 in Hoffenheim on April 12th they were suddenly in the offensive midfield. Do these shifts do not give you a headache?
Veratschnig: This is not a problem for me. At my ex-club I often played the back and right in front when we still acted with the chain of four. I am one who thinks: mainly I am on the pitch – no matter where – and can help the team.
Transfer market: Why did you actually switch from Wolfsberger AC to Mainz 05?
Veratschnig: I had a great conversation with the coach before I came here. It was the same with those responsible. We were nice to eat, they showed me the city and were super sympathetic. Overall, it felt right for me to move to Mainz.
Transfer market: So did you convince the food?
Veratschnig: That was not the crucial point for my change. (laughs)
Transfer market: What was served?
Veratschnig: We were with an Italian who was actually good. But in my opinion the best schnitzel is in Austria. (smiles)
Transfer market: Then let’s hope that you have now been able to find suitable locations in Mainz …
Scathing: Yes, there is a good Austrian here.
Transfer market: For the first time they landed away from their homeland and at their first wanderlike. What has changed for you?
Veratschnig: A lot. I didn’t know what it was like to be further away from home. The contact with the family and my friends is of course still available, but that you just meet for an afternoon is no longer possible. But otherwise I actually feel very comfortable here.
Transfer market: Was there anything that you would not have expected in Mainz and in the Bundesliga?
Veratschnig: The size. How the club is structured, the fans – just everything. In Austria I knew everything one size smaller. But I got used to it well.
Transfer market: They are the twelfth Austrian in the Mainz club history. Did you speak to your predecessors before?
Veratschnig: No, I didn’t know anyone personally. But when I was here, Karim (Onisiwo; d. Red.), Philipp (Mwene) and I talked a lot. They also recommended good bars to me and gave me tips on what you can do here. They helped me to settle in well.
Transfer market: In the 1-1 win against Kiel, they almost entered the scorer for the first time – but it was whistled away. So you still have to wait for your happiness moment.
Veratschnig: I thought while I ran to the goal, it might be offside. The line judge also raised the flag directly. So I preferred to wait with the goal celebration, and then the Var turned on.
Mainz 05: Veratschnig comes up well with coach Henriksen
Transfer market: What is not can still be. How do you actually get along with your passionately acting head coach Bo Henriksen?
Veratschnig: Very good. He is a great character, always honest. If I need something, I can always come to him. He always has an open ear for every player. We have a very good relationship.
Transfer market: Everything is possible between the Champions League and a season without a European cup shortly before the end of the season. How big is the tension and nervousness for you and your teammates?
Veratschnig: There is actually no nervousness. We have nothing to lose and look from week to week. We do not calculate what happens when we lose and win there. We work on the next game and let everything come to us.
Transfer market: But you will certainly talk about it within the team?
Veratschnig: Yes, of course. But we can call up our best performance if we don’t think much about it, we all agree.
Transfer market: Another question: What would the European Cup qualification mean to you?
Veratschnig: That would be brutal. Especially for an association like Mainz, with which it is not common for you to play internationally. That would be incredible.
Transfer market: How should your career ideally go?
Veratschnig: I want to become a regular player, always improve and develop myself. And get to the national team at some point. But I let that come to me.
Interview: Philipp Marquardt