Mainz praise Leitsch after late equalizer: "So many setbacks, such a long time."
Leitsch's struggles with physical and mental exhaustion have left him out of action for much of the past two years. The 26-year-old may now be in a position to serve as a Bundesliga starter once again.
Matters have gone completely awry for former Germany U21 international since he joined FSV Mainz 05 from VfL Bochum on a reported €3.5 million deal in the summer of 2022. The Essen-native almost immediately had to be withdrawn from first team training due to issues relating to his mental health. A protracted recovery process meant that Leitsch only made two brief relief appearances with the Rheinhessen towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Leitsch did feature a little more for Mainz last year during his second season in a FSV tricot, but still only earned four starts and three relief appearances over the 24-fixture-league campaign. He failed to get his name on the scoresheet in either season. At long last, however, it appears as if the 26-year-old may be back on the upward trajectory. A late equalizer in yesterday's 3-3 draw with Stuttgart lifts him back onto the German footballing radar.
Leitsch is currently fighting for a starting place in Mainz trainer Bo Henriksen's back-three. His main competitor, veteran Stefan Bell, was yanked off at the half with the tram trailing Stuttgart 1-2. The resurgent center back turned in an excellent performance in the second 45. He capped it all off with his first league goal since representing Bochum on match-day 25 of the 2021/22 campaign. The timing could hardly have been better. All FSV actors were quick to praise.
"We demonstrated incredible morale," newly-appointed Mainz sporting director Nico Bungert remarked in the mixed zone yesterday, "That fact that Maxim Leitsch, of all possible people, scored the 'lucky punch' had a big impact on us as a team. He's suffered so many setbacks and can celebrate a personal success today."
"It was an up and down game for us, but we adjusted accordingly," squad captain Jonathan Burkardt added, "But we never lost belief in ourselves. It was all the more beautiful that Letschi scored the goal."
"I think that Leitschi was fantastic," Henriksen added at his post-match-presser, "He came on at the half and did very well with everything he did. And, of course, he gets a goal after having been out for such a long time. He hadn't had a good experience for such a long, long time."
"It's fantastic for him and fantastic for the team," Henriksen continued, "Everything he did for us was really, really good."