In the home game against Mainz, VfB aims to correct the false start in Freiburg. However, it probably won’t be as easy as it was in Münster.
So, where does the club with the red stripe stand after one cup round and one Bundesliga matchday? The answer: At the start of the season. Of course, these are highly emotional times with transfers and the first European competition draw involving VfB in over ten years. Additionally, half of the defense is injured. As noted after the last two games, it’s not just about the personnel but, more importantly, about the attitude toward the game and the opponent. The attitude was right in Münster, and I would be surprised if the team relapsed against Mainz. Still, Mainz can be as tough as Freiburg, although not necessarily at the same level. Especially since FSV was riding a wave of euphoria going into the summer break. However, there is no real reason for gloom at VfB either, not even with the defensive shortage. We managed with it last season as well, plus this is our first competitive home game since May 18th. We can look forward to exciting Champions League opponents and will send five players to the German national team next week.
Personnel Situation
Not much has changed there. Nartey, Zagadou, Stergiou, Raimund, and Rouault are still out for Mainz, and Vagnoman might make it to the bench. This leads to the following:
Possible Starting Line-up
Sebastian Hoeneß has already announced that Chase will play. Vagnoman, if fit, certainly won’t start. There’s also nothing to change in the double six. Up front, I would prefer Rieder over Silas and Leweling, who haven’t made much impact on the right so far. Millot rotates back in behind Demirovic, and Undav comes off the bench.
Statistics
Even on the second matchday, there isn’t much to glean from the Bundesliga statistics. On the first matchday, Mainz and their opponents Union were the teams with the most aerial duels won. VfB has been unbeaten against FSV since January 2019; back then, the 05ers took all three points from the Neckarstadion with a 3–2 win, and two late goals from Gonzalez and Kempf couldn’t change that. However, that was also just one of FSV’s three away wins in 32 Bundesliga matches.
Conclusion
After a busy week, it’s time to look ahead again. VfB is capable of defeating FSV Mainz to go into the international break with a calm mindset. After that comes the away game in Gladbach, and then the first Champions League matchday before Waldemar Anton returns to Bad Cannstatt in black and yellow. No matter who the first European opponent in 11 years is, these will be festive weeks for which we need to lay the groundwork in the Bundesliga. Full focus on Mainz, then!
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