Four scorers in five games
©IMAGO
If you dig deep into your pockets in the winter transfer window, it is usually a sign that things are not going well. This is what happened at FSV Mainz. The 05ers signed Phillip Tietz from FC Augsburg for 4 million euros – not a small amount by Mainz standards, as the club only spent more money on a new signing twice in the winter. When Tietz moved to FSV, they took last place with eight points. Five games with the new center forward in the starting line-up later they are in 16th place with 18 points.
“I am absolutely convinced of the team, the club and the coaching staff. In training I see what the players are like, how they train and how good they are,” Tietz told the “Kicker” about his new club. He played virtually no role at FCA, only played 189 minutes in ten games and scored one goal. In Mainz there are four goal involvements in five games. Since Tietz was in the starting line-up, FSV has scored as many points as FC Bayern and is in 5th place in the form table for the last five games.
Tietz gets along particularly well with national player Nadiem Amiri. “We really have a special connection. It feels like we’ve known each other for years. I really enjoy doing things with him off the pitch. This week, for example, he was at our house with his family. That’s a perfect fit and also means we get along so well on the pitch.” Tietz indirectly prepared Amiri’s seventh goal of the season by taking a penalty in the 2-1 win at RB Leipzig, which Amiri converted.
Tietz on winter transfers: “There were two or three other options”
Tietz also set up the winning goal from winter signing Silas. When the Braunschweig native was presented on January 2nd, he was the only new player for the striker – Silas and Sheraldo Becker were added during the transfer period. “Competition stimulates business. If you know that you’re always playing on the weekend, you might train a little less consistently. Most of the time it’s like this: only if you give 100 percent in training will you be able to do that in the game,” said Tietz, who also had other options besides the former bottom of the table.
“There were two or three other options, also within the Bundesliga. But when my advisors said that the FSV was interested, and the telephone conversation with Niko Bungert was made three or four days later, all I had in mind was the FSV. I’m really very happy that it worked out. I think you can also see that I have a lot of fun and enjoy football in Mainz,” reveals Tietz. The transfer fee of 4 million euros makes him one of the 20 most expensive Mainz signings and one of the 40 most expensive German center forward purchases in the Bundesliga.
“I think it’s easier said than done to ignore it. The club and the fans expect a lot from me. Nevertheless, I try to keep the debate about the transfer fee away from me because it just puts additional pressure on you.” On matchday 21, Tietz will face his former club – with a home win, FSV would be within one point of Augsburg.
