Football: Fischer’s work is working: Mainz 05 is gaining momentum for the Strasbourg adventure

As of: April 6, 2026 • 2:13 p.m

After the victory at TSG Hoffenheim, Mainz 05 will face Racing Strasbourg in the Conference League. Coach Urs Fischer explains how he got the FSV going.

The Mainz professionals gathered together in front of the almost 5,000 fans, with a large banner saying in capital letters: “All in red against Strasbourg”. FSV Mainz 05 comes with a lot of momentum and even more self-confidence after the 2-1 coup at TSG Hoffenheim from the Easter days – and into the next football adventure.

Already this Thursday (04/09/2026, from 9 p.m. in the audio live stream at swr.de/sport) will be in the Conference League quarter-finals in front of a home crowd against title contenders Racing Strasbourg. Exactly a week later, the guest appearance awaits in the French city near the German border, just 200 kilometers away.

With “euphoria” against Strasbourg

“It’s new territory for Mainz 05 to get this far in the European Cup. It’s not easy, but as always we’ll try to get the best out of it,” said coach Urs Fischer in an interview with “kicker”. In the semifinals it could be against Rayo Vallecano or AEK Athens. Sports director Niko Bungert added with a view to the home game against Strasbourg: “We want to use the euphoria without becoming frivolous.”

A lot has happened since Fischer took office in December. The 60-year-old Swiss took over the 05er team in 18th place in the Bundesliga in great fear of relegation. “When I started in Mainz, we agreed on something as a group: We don’t have time for sensitivities and discussions about someone not getting enough minutes or whatever,” said Fischer.

Tietz shows lucky charms

His motto to the professionals who have been struggling with sports for months Paul Nebel and Nadiem Amiri said: “The next six months will be about the future and the jobs at Mainz 05, there is no room for sensitivities.” According to Fischer, the initial situation could hardly have been worse.

That no longer applies; with 33 points, Mainz is now closer to seventh place than to the relegation spot. They also have Phillip Tietz to thank for this, who scored twice in the surprising win in Sinsheim and became the match winner. Proud and also touched, the 28-year-old showed his lucky charm after his two goals (13th and 79th minute).

Tietz had hidden the small painted picture of Mavie-Lou under his shin pads and took it with him into the interview zone. There the little daughter then frolicked around him.

“Now I’ll paint you a picture so you can score goals”

“She was pretty critical of me and said: Dad, scoring goals is pretty easy. Now I’ll paint you a picture so you can score goals,” said the striker. In the past few weeks, Tietz has had to struggle with a goal drought, His last goal was in a 3-1 win against VfL Wolfsburg at the end of January.

“I’ve now had a period of suffering that has left its mark on me. Because I want to measure myself against goals and will ultimately be paid for it,” said the former Augsburg player: “That’s why it’s even nicer that I was able to score two goals.”

“Still in the relegation battle”

After the final whistle against Hoffenheim, the attacker went to the opposite stand, where Mavie-Lou was sitting. “My best friend and my daughter are visiting today. They drove down from Mainz specifically. My daughter wanted to keep her fingers crossed for me,” Tietz said later. Was that already relegation for Mainz?

“Three points more in the account, but we are definitely still in the relegation battle,” said the match winner. And goalkeeper Daniel Batz also answered the question in the negative: “Anyone who can do the math can see this: six games left – 18 points.”