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Relegation place 17 in the Bundesliga, now FSV Mainz 05 also suffered their first defeat in the Conference League. After the game at Universitatea Craiova, the 05ers are in danger of a complete collapse, says SWR sports reporter Stefan Kersthold.
Relegation place 17 in the Bundesliga, now FSV Mainz 05 also suffered their first defeat in the Conference League. After the game at Universitatea Craiova, the 05ers are in danger of a complete collapse, says SWR sports reporter Stefan Kersthold.
Until last Friday, until after the 1-1 draw in the home game against TSG HoffenheimMainz’s slogans for perseverance were still received by the fans. Also because Danny da Costa’s goal prevented another home defeat. However, the record in the Bundesliga, especially in our own stadium, is that of a relegated team. Just two points were scored, the last win in front of a home crowd last season was on February 22nd in a 2-0 win against FC St. Pauli.
Uninspired performance in Romania
What has distracted a little bit from the performances in the Bundesliga so far has been the record in the Conference League. Even if everything didn’t go smoothly here, the results were right. Starting with the play-off second leg, in a 4-1 win against TrondheimMainz delivered their best performance of the season so far, winning the first three group games. This series is now also broken, after a shockingly weak performance in Romania’s 0-1 draw at Universitatea Craiova. Apart from the offside goal by 18-year-old Kacper Potulski, the 05ers hardly had any chances to score against an opponent who was by no means overpowering and presented themselves astonishingly uninspired. It was unfortunate, of course, that regular goalkeeper Robin Zentner had to be replaced injured after just 24 minutes – but that shouldn’t be seen as an excuse.
The fans are frustrated and the mood is changing
During and after the home game against Hoffenheim it was noticeably quieter in the Mainz Arena. The fans, who until then had unconditionally supported the team and always loudly supported and encouraged them even after the many games they didn’t win, seem to be slowly losing their patience. During the guest appearance in Craiova, the frustration of the approximately 1,200 supporters who traveled with them increased again. There were whistles – and then even a verbal argument between one of the 05 players and the fans. All of this is a very untypical trend for Mainz and also dangerous for the upcoming games before the short winter break.
Is Bo Henriksen still the right man?
This raises the question that is often asked in the football business – probably not just me: What happens to coach Bo Henriksen? Of course, the Dane has made great contributions to the club, the relegation in May 2024 will not be forgotten, and of course the last season with the qualification for the Conference League will not be forgotten. But that’s exactly what, the multiple burden of the international games, now seems to be the 05ers’ downfall.
The squad has not been strengthened accordingly, some top performers such as Nadiem Amiri, Jae-sung Lee and Paul Nebel are miles behind their form from the previous season. And even if I can no longer hear or read it myself – Jonathan Burkardt’s 18 goals are simply missing. And Bo Henriksen? Despite his optimistic aura, the coach has often seemed overwhelmed and perplexed to me on the sidelines in recent weeks. Maybe it’s just an impression from above, but somehow the Dane’s motivational magic no longer seems to reach the actors.
Final in Freiburg?
I don’t know whether the Bundesliga game in Freiburg (Sunday, November 30th, from 7:30 p.m.) will be a final for the coach. If you ask those responsible around sports director Christian Heidel and sports director Niko Bungert, certainly not. But should – and the absence of the suspended Amiri and Dominik Kohr and probably also the injured keeper Robin Zentner certainly doesn’t make the task any easier – even if the appearance in the Black Forest falls through, Bo Henriksen’s term in office could end prematurely before Christmas.
Broadcast on Friday, November 28th, 2025 12:00 p.m., SWR Aktuell at midday, SWR Aktuell
