Mainz vs. Leipzig preview: Mainz look to turn around poor form
Leipzig travel to the Mewa Arena on Saturday in hopes of continuing their improved play under new coach Marco Rose. Mainz, on the other hand, are still searching for creativity on the offensive end.
Mainz 05
Mainz have really looked poor in the last month of action and are rapidly falling back down the Bundesliga table. The good news is that Jonathan Burkardt is fully healthy once again to join Karim Oniwiso, who badly needs a goal, in attack.
Center-back Alexander Hack is finally returning from his red card suspension, but efficiency on the offensive end is really starting to become a major issue. Mainz are tied for second-worst in the league with just eight goals recorded through eight games.
After a brutal few days of training in response to their disappointing recent play, manager Bo Svensson slowed the pace down on Thursday: "We trained extremely hard the last two days. So I felt that the boys should do a little less today, so they could be as fresh as possible come Saturday."
Team News
Marlon Mustapha is out, while Marcus Ingvartsen is expected to be a part of the squad.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig have been really bad away from home this season, claiming only one point thus far. Another difficult injury blow hit the club midweek with goalkeeper and captain Peter Gulacsi tearing his ACL in their Champions League match against Celtic.
This makes way for 31-year-old Janis Blaswich, who only made his first-ever appearance in the Bundesliga earlier this season. After a brace on Wednesday, Andre Silva is still yet to score in league play, but he'll likely start up front along with Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner.
Coach Marco Rose commented that, "Mainz are doing great work. They have built a really good squad with physically strong players. We will come up against a very aggressive side. - That's what Mainz are about."
Team News
Gulacsi joins Konrad Laimer, Dani Olmo and Lukas Klostermann on the injury list.