Mainz 05 Match Reaction

Julian Nagelsmann: What a crazy game! We were expecting intensity but we couldn’t cope with Mainz’s pressing game. We couldn’t play out from the back. Latza’s opener was a really good goal and it’s not the first he’s scored like that. The second came quickly after that. Mainz had the better chances, often we were lacking in the final ball. They could easily have won today, but I think we also played some nice football, too. It was a bit of luck in the end.

Sandro Schwarz: The first 20 minutes were very good. Hoffenheim were always going to have a good phase in the game. After they scored their first we forgot how to defend and conceded the second just before half-time. The second half was very intense and we had clear chances. Their winner was unlucky. It’s frustrating because the result doesn’t reflect the performance, but now we need to channel this into the Hertha game.

Mark Uth: To score my sixth goal against Mainz is nice. Mainz seem to suit me! We started poorly and conceded two early goals. It took two goals for us to wake up. We knew they would start well, but we couldn’t stop them. The equaliser before half-time was really important. It was a brilliant game overall – a real 50-50 contest. We were quite lucky to get three points, but we’re riding high after some good victories.

Sandro Wagner: We’re very pleased to have sealed it late on, but we’re very unhappy with the first 20 minutes. We knew Mainz would start strongly but we wanted to stop them. It was a very similar start to past seasons. I can’t explain it. After we conceded the first two goals, we started to remember what we’re capable of and that we can score goals. It was a really tough game.

Kevin Vogt: We were sleeping in the first 25 minutes. We made silly mistakes and invited Mainz to score. Luckily we took things into our own hands after that and found our structure again. Sandro’s goal before the break was very important, but Mainz could’ve scored, too. We played very well after half-time. There were chances for both sides, but it’s a great win for us. It’s good for our moral.

Danny Latza: The first 20 minutes were brilliant. Hoffenheim weren’t in the game and it could’ve been 3-1 or even 4-1 at half-time. We should’ve taken at least a point from the game because we played very well.

Rene Adler: We could’ve sealed the game by half-time. We were asleep when they scored their goals. It was too easy. We’ll have to look over these again. Two goals at home should be enough to get three points. We didn’t keep on going after getting scoring twice. That’s not good enough. The points are the most important thing in football. 

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