Mainz 05 Coach Urs Fischer Supports Team Despite Heavy Defeat

omidbasir- Mainz 05 head coach Urs Fischer reaffirmed his full support for the team following their recent 4-0 defeat against Borussia Dortmund. He emphasized that this loss, while disappointing, is not catastrophic and marked the end of their three-match Bundesliga winning streak. Thanks to the points accrued under Fischer’s leadership, the team remains comfortably above the relegation zone.

The match statistics revealed a somewhat misleading scoreline, with Mainz registering an expected goals (xG) of 1.51 compared to Dortmund’s 2.32. In the post-match press conference, Fischer expressed satisfaction with his squad’s overall performance, stating that they had adequately prepared for the encounter.

“I observed a very strong first half from my team,” Fischer noted. “The first 45 minutes were evenly contested. We must improve our defensive strategies during set pieces, requiring better positioning and more effective use of our bodies. Although we thoroughly analyzed Dortmund’s set plays, they ultimately proved to be the deciding factor. It is crucial to defend better in those situations.”

The performance of goalkeeper Batz, whom Fischer appointed as the new No. 1, was under scrutiny after he deflected one goal into his own net and was outmaneuvered for another. Nonetheless, Fischer defended the 35-year-old, highlighting his ability to make several important saves from open play during a challenging phase of the match.

“Certainly, the goalkeeper should work on creating better space for himself,” Fischer acknowledged. “However, it’s essential that he receives support from his teammates.”

Fischer also decided to allow his players a scheduled day off, encouraging them to partake in carnival festivities in the city early next week. Unlike many coaches who may impose immediate training sessions after disappointing performances, Fischer does not view the current situation as overly dire.

“There is life beyond football,” he remarked. “We will conduct an objective analysis of this match, just as we have with previous games. There are indeed aspects that need attention and improvement. After the carnival celebrations, we will focus on the challenging home game against Hamburger SV.”