Batz on Mainz stalemate in Czechia: "We'll settle things in the home game"

With Conference League opponents SK Sigma Olomouc holding them to a nervy 0-0 first-leg draw this evening, Mainz goalkeeper Daniel Batz confessed the game lacked quality.

“It was a classic first leg. We were very static in the first half, although we were solid defensively," Batz said, in his post-match interview.

"We addressed some things at half time, such as the space behind Olomouc’s high defensive line. Things improved, but we didn’t always have that balance between long balls and controlled build-up play.

“Ideally, we would have won today, but this doesn’t change anything and we’ll settle things in the home game,” the goalkeeper explained, looking ahead to next week's return leg. 

Such was the lack of attacking output from the Czechia side, it took until late in the game for Peter Barath to finally test Batz – a splendid save which he was happy to discuss. 

"I had nothing to do for 88 minutes, and it could have been a whole game with nothing. It’s what I’m there for, though.

“All in all, it was a nice experience, especially for the fans who once again gave it their absolute all. It’s now about the next game,” he added.