FSV Mainz 05 enters the next phase of the Bundesliga season with a largely unchanged squad. After finishing fifth in the second half of last season, the club has managed to retain its key performers, as shown by a comprehensive squad check from FAZ Sport.
The 05ers start their home match against Eintracht Frankfurt on September 12th from 12th place in the table with one point from one game. So far, the team has kept a clean sheet in the league but has also failed to score themselves. The current injury list includes Dominik Kohr, Eric Martel, and Silas, limiting coach Bo Svensson's options ahead of the derby.
Sporting director Christian Heidel and his colleague Niko Bungert have successfully kept the team's core group together during the transfer period. The vocal commitment of Nadiem Amiri created positive momentum. The midfielder declared a determined "Ich bleibe!" (I'm staying!) to the fans before the season, despite having received no concrete transfer offers beforehand.
Japanese attacker Kaishu Sano also remains with the club. Crystal Palace had submitted an offer of 30 million euros for the forward, but Mainz's valuation was significantly higher. Paul Nebel is also still part of the team, though he is currently sidelined with an adductor injury sustained during training camp.
Mainz invested specifically in defense. Stefan Posch was signed permanently from Como 1907 for four million euros. The Austrian is expected to play an important role in central defense. Defensive midfielder Eric Martel joined from Cologne, though he is currently unavailable due to injury. For the attack, the club signed Ransford Königsdörffer, who was previously under contract with HSV for four years.
On the departures side, the contract with Marco Richter was terminated by mutual agreement. The player may continue training with the professionals but can join a new club as a free agent. Andreas Hanche-Olsen made a permanent move to Chicago, while William Bøving was loaned to 1. FC Nürnberg. A special case is Hyun-seok Hong, whose loan to FC Midtjylland was possible after the German transfer deadline because Denmark has a longer window.
Mainz's season began with a goalless draw at SC Paderborn's Volksparkstadion. In defense, Kacper Potulski could start as left-back, while Stefan Posch is set in central defense. In goal, Daniel Batz has established himself as number one following Robin Zentner's long-term injury last season.
The team currently trails league leaders SC Freiburg by five points. All current data on the league position can be found in our standings. Ahead of the important home match against local rivals Eintracht Frankfurt, who sit in 11th place, Bo Svensson must plan his lineup carefully. A complete overview of injured players is available on our injuries page.
The decision to retain key performers signals continuity and ambition. Following a strong second half of last season, the club is relying on proven players, supplemented by targeted reinforcements in weaker areas of the squad. The injury situation, however, presents an early test, particularly in defensive midfield.
The focus is now fully on the Rhein-Main derby this Saturday. A win against Eintracht Frankfurt could significantly accelerate the start to the season and convert the positive mood from the transfer period into points. The exact schedule for the coming weeks can be viewed in our fixtures overview. The home match against Eintracht on September 12, 2026, is the next challenge for the 05ers.
