“That’s why he didn’t play.”
After the European Cup game: Sharp criticism of DFB talent
November 28, 2025 – 8:46 a.mReading time: 1 min.
U21 national player Nelson Weiper sat on the bench for 90 minutes in Mainz 05’s 0-1 defeat against Craiova, even though the Bundesliga club had little going for it offensively. The trainer provides the explanation.
Bo Henriksen, coach of Mainz 05, found clear words for Nelson Weiper after the defeat in the Conference League at Universitatea Craiova. The German U21 international sat on the bench for 90 minutes – and apparently not without reason.
“At Mainz 05 it is very, very important that you train well – with power, with energy and that you show that every day. And he didn’t do that and that’s why he didn’t play,” said Henriksen after the 0-1 defeat in Romania.
Henriksen had changed his starting eleven in several positions compared to the 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim. Five new players were in the starting line-up. The 20-year-old Weiper was not one of them.
After the game in Craiova, Henriksen also criticized himself. “That was maybe a little too much,” he said, referring to the rotations. “I have to take that on my shoulders,” added the Dane.
Despite the defeat, in which Mainz were hardly able to make any impact offensively, the club remains in the top group of the Conference League. With fifth place, the team still has a good chance of reaching the round of 16.