Henriksen, Schmidt, and Amiri euphoric after latest win: "We can beat anyone."
Current relegation-playoff-place occupants FSV Mainz 05 unquestionably know how to turn up the heat on the pitch these days. Maximum points from the team's last two league fixtures (not to mention a combined total of eight goals) have helped the team's survival prospects immensely. Bo Henriksen's Rheinhessen followed up an impressive 4-0 win over relegation rivals SV Darmstadt 98 last week with a 4-1 defeat of European aspirants TSG 1899 Hoffenheim this weekend. Mainz now have two teams ahead of them in the table (Wolfsburg and Bochum) that they can directly overtake.
Since at the MEWA Arena in the Pfälzer capital on Saturday were quite befitting of one of Germany's famed "Carnival Clubs". After Mainz's famed "Narrhallamarsch" rang out through the stadium four times during the goal-laden second half, all the FSV players gathered around the coach who breathed new life back into the team for an impromptu post-match celebrations that involved spritzing the gaffer with the dugout's water bottles. A semi-drenched Henriksen kept up his smile when speaking to the Sky microphones afterwards.
"We have the feeling that we can win against anyone," Henriksen said, "That's very important. We worked hard in the second half and showed a lot of positive energy, confidence, and belief. We have to sustain this energy for the next five weeks."
"The fact that Wolfsburg, Bochum, and Union are now getting nervous means we've accomplished something with our wins," FSV sporting director Martin Schmidt added, "but that's not enough. We're still hunting and tension remains high."
Schmidt displayed visible signs of relief whilst conducting his post-match interview. The sporting director - along with his front-office partner Christian Heidel - faced serious pressure after their initial choice to lead the team after Bo Svensson resigned earlier this year, Jan Siewert, proved an absolute bust. On the playing side, the key January acquisition brought in to turn things around - German international Nadiem Amiri - also didn't get off to the greatest start.
Amiri's skill as a set-piece taker has finally come to help the team look more dangerous on a more consistent basis. Following an excellent performance last week, Amiri registered an assist on what would prove to be Philipp Mwene's game-winning goal on Saturday. The 27-year-old reiterated the same basic talking point he put forth upon joining the club when conducting his post-match interview.
"We're not 16th-placed-side," Amiri said, "We're strong enough. We just have to dig deep within. It's in our hands and we have to try everything to get out of the bottom."