FIRST TEAM
02/18/2016

Nagelsmann ahead of Mainz clash: "Fans want to see goals"

Mainz 05 come to Sinsheim on Saturday on the back of three consecutive wins - no easy task on Julian Nagelsmann's home debut. actzehn99.de and the first-team coach look ahead to the game.

JULIAN NAGELSMANN ON...

...the opponents:

Mainz have taken a lot of confidence from the last few weeks. They go into every game thinking they can win. The team is in good form, fit, efficient in front of goal and aggressive, whilst also switching from defence to attack very well. They keep things tight at the back, and it'll be a very tough game between two teams with a similar style of play. I'm expecting a high-intensity game that'll certainly take its physical toll on the players.

...team news:

Andrej Kramaric will miss through suspension, but aside from that, all players are available. There have been one or two knocks during the week, but nothing too serious.

...the sporting situation:

I don't see any use putting unnecessary pressure on the team. It's big enough as it is. All players want to stay in the division and play Bundesliga football next season, and for that we need to remain calm. There are a few training sessions without any tactical content, in which we opt to have some fun and do what the players enjoy. However, I don't tell any jokes to raise spirits.

We've had a good, intense week with several training sessions. I was pleased with the team's performance and I've started to get a good picture of the squad. I speak to the players individually as I place a high importance on communication, and they can always come to me with ideas. Simply put: I like attacking football. The fans come to the stadium to see goals and we need plenty of goals to win games in our situation.

We'll make mistakes, that's for sure. That's why it's so important in our situation that the stadium is full and the fans support us.

PREVIOUS MATCH-UPS:

There have been 13 meetings between TSG and Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim have won five, drawn four and lost seven. Room for improvement…

OPPONENTS' FORM:

They returned from the winter break with a loss against FC Ingolstadt. Since then? A home win against Gladbach. An away win against Hannover. A home win against Schalke. Alongside VfB Stuttgart, Mainz are the league's form side and have climbed their way up to sixth place. How have they managed that? By being efficient in front of goal and by running incessantly – Martin Schmidt's team have run 119 kilometres per game, the most of any team in the Bundesliga. TSG are the next-best side in this category.

KEY BATTLE:

Mainz have conceded six goals in their last ten Bundesliga games, which has been a key contributing factor in their rise up the table. Only league leaders Bayern have conceded as few in the same time period. TSG will have to break down the Mainz wall in front of their own fans, which will be no easy task for Kevin Volland, Eduardo Vargas, Nadiem Amiri & Co. Perhaps Hoffenheim will reap the rewards of centre back Stefan Bell's absence.

 

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