Mainz 05 are aiming for a more stable Bundesliga start with new signing Fabio Gruber and the confirmed stay of key midfielder Nadiem Amiri. Bundesliga.de reported the team's outlook in a season preview ahead of the league's restart on August 28.
The club finished last season in a respectable tenth place after a poor start under coach Urs Fischer. Confidence grew during pre-season with a 2-1 friendly win against AFC Bournemouth and a 9:0 demolition of VfB Krieschow in the DFB-Pokal first round. The squad is determined to avoid the relegation fears of the previous campaign.
Who is the key new face in defence?
Fabio Gruber joined Mainz 05 from 1. FC Nürnberg and is expected to add solidity to the back three. The 23-year-old centre-back made his name in the 2. Bundesliga with Nürnberg. He impressed during pre-season with his reliability and earned a spot in the starting lineup.
His statistics from Nuremberg are promising. Gruber won 61 percent of his duels in the 2025/26 season. In build-up play, he was a secure passing option, completing 84 percent of his passes. For Fischer's controlled style, the new signing could become a fundamental pillar. The current defensive lineup can be viewed on our squad page.
Why is Nadiem Amiri so vital for Mainz?
Nadiem Amiri is staying at Mainz 05 following an outstanding second half of the season and World Cup participation. The midfielder announced his decision to remain at a fan event, which was met with great relief. He has become an increasingly important figure for the team since his arrival in January 2024.
Last season, Amiri scored twelve goals in 26 Bundesliga matches. This offensive output from central midfield is incredibly valuable for the club. At 29, he now brings the necessary experience to lead the team in tight games. His choice to stay provides crucial planning security for the entire squad.
What could the starting lineup look like on matchday one?
Personnel absences present a challenge for coach Urs Fischer. Benedict Hollerbach, Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Eric Martel and Paul Nebel will miss the start of the season. Nonetheless, a clear base formation in a 3-5-2 system is emerging.
Robin Zentner will start in goal. In front of him, Danny da Costa, Fabio Gruber and Dominik Kohr are likely to form the back three. However, Stefan Posch, who was signed permanently after his loan, provides strong competition. Anthony Caci, Kaishu Sano and Phillipp Mwene could operate in the defensive midfield roles. The creative duties ahead of them fall to Jaesung Lee and Nadiem Amiri. The strike partnership is set to feature Sheraldo Becker and Phillip Tietz.
The upcoming Bundesliga fixtures where this lineup will be tested are listed on our fixtures calendar. The injury situation remains under observation and is updated on the injuries page.
What does this mean for Mainz 05's season targets?
The primary objective is a fast start to the season to secure a mid-table position early on. The club wants to avoid a repeat of last season's turbulent opening, where they had only nine points after 16 matches. Integrating Fabio Gruber and relying on the leadership of Nadiem Amiri are central to this plan.
The friendly results and the emphatic cup win show the team has tactically understood what Fischer demands. The coming weeks will reveal if this preparation can be converted into consistent points. The evolution of the league table can be followed in the standings.
