FSV Mainz 05 Team News - Soccer

Robin Zentner - Back on training pitch Tuesday Zentner (hand) returned to the training pitch Tuesday for the first time since suffering his hand injury, though he remains limited and has yet to resume goalkeeper-specific work,...

Impact Zentner has taken an encouraging first step in his recovery by getting back on the grass, but he still appears to have some ground to cover before returning to full goalkeeper training. That makes a comeback for Saturday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen a long shot, especially with no clear timetable yet for him to resume a full workload. Alexander Schwolow should remain in line to handle the starting job between the posts until Zentner is fully cleared.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Fabio Gruber - Cleared from injury Gruber (knee) returned to team training Tuesday after spending the international break recovering from knee irritation, according to Kicker.

Impact Gruber appears to have made good use of the international break after withdrawing from Peru duty to focus on his recovery, with his return to the group putting him back on track for competitive action. The center back now looks poised to return to contention for Saturday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen, barring any setbacks over the remainder of the training week.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Trains fully Tuesday Widmer (knee) fully rejoined team training Tuesday and completed the entire session as he closes in on a return from his patellar tendon injury, according to Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Widmer has taken a major step forward after previously being limited to individual work during the international break, putting him on the verge of a return to the matchday squad. The right back reportedly looked sharp during Tuesday's session and even found the net with a header, an encouraging sign after missing Mainz's last three Bundesliga matches. He could now work his way back into contention for Saturday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen, though his workload may need to be managed following the layoff.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Otto Ruoppi - Trains individually Tuesday Ruoppi (knee) remained limited to individual work Tuesday as he continues to recover from the knee irritation he picked up while on international duty with Finland's U21 side, acco...

Impact Ruoppi has yet to take the next step in his recovery after returning early from international duty, as he didn't take the field until after Tuesday's team session had ended. There is still no timetable for him to rejoin the group, leaving his availability for Saturday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen up in the air. His progress over the next few sessions should provide a clearer indication of whether he can work his way back into contention this weekend.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Paul Nebel - Should be available Saturday Nebel (adductor) fully rejoined team training Tuesday and completed the entire session as he closes in on his season debut, according to Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Nebel has cleared a major hurdle in his recovery after spending more than two months sidelined with the adductor injury he suffered in early August. The attacking midfielder had been limited to individual work but came through Tuesday's full session and reportedly made a strong impression, putting a potential squad return against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday firmly on the table. After such a lengthy layoff, his role and potential workload remain uncertain and should become clearer as the training week progresses.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Otto Ruoppi - Leaves Finland U21 camp early Ruoppi (knee) has returned to Mainz early from Finland U21 duty due to knee irritation and will initially train individually, according to the club.

Impact Ruoppi's early return appears to be precautionary, with the issue not currently expected to result in an extended absence. The midfielder will receive treatment in Mainz while working individually before being cleared to rejoin team training. His progress over the coming days should provide a clearer indication of his availability following the international break.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Phillipp Mwene - Active against Ireland Mwene (undisclosed) played 90 minutes for his national team in Thursday's UEFA Nations League draw against Ireland.

Impact Mwene regained full fitness despite being limited in recent training sessions, and he made his second appearance of the international break as Austria's favored left-back. While he couldn't start a scoring streak following his goal against Israel, the wide defender was quite busy in defensive actions and individual duels throughout the match. He'll look to retain his usual value once he returns to his club, where he has served as a regular wing-back option lately.

OCTOBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Phillipp Mwene - Working individually Mwene is currently training individually after missing Austria's 3-1 Nations League win over Kosovo, according to Kicker.

Impact Mwene appears to be dealing with a minor fitness issue after playing the full 90 minutes and scoring the decisive goal in Austria's 3-1 win over Israel. The defender was subsequently left out against Kosovo and remained separate from team training Monday. The issue is not considered serious, and Mwene is expected to be available for Austria's upcoming matches if his recovery continues as planned.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Silas Katompa Mvumpa - Return in 2026 unlikely Silas remains on a long road back from the tibia and fibula fracture in his left leg that has sidelined him since March, with no return to competitive action in sight, according to...

Impact Silas has made significant progress in his rehabilitation and could partially return to team training in mid-October, though reports suggest a return to competitive action this calendar year would be very unlikely. No precise comeback date has been given, and Mainz is not looking to rush the 27 year old after such a lengthy layoff.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Dominik Kohr - Faces extended absence after ankle surgery Kohr is facing an extended absence after undergoing surgery for a syndesmosis injury in his right ankle suffered in the 0-0 draw with Paderborn on the opening matchday, according t...

Impact Kohr's timeline remains unclear, though the reports suggest a return in the current calendar year would be very unlikely, meaning he could miss all remaining matches before the winter break. Stefan Posch is likely to earn more playing time in his absence, with the return of Kohr expected in January.

SEPTEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Resumes ball work Widmer (knee) has resumed individual training on the pitch and is already working with the ball as he continues his recovery from a patellar tendon injury, he announced on Instagra...

Impact Widmer suffered a patellar tendon injury in his left knee and has missed Mainz's last three Bundesliga matches while undergoing conservative treatment. The right-back has now progressed to individual work on the pitch with the ball during the international break, providing a positive update as he works his way back from the injury. This represents a meaningful step toward team training, though his own admission that he is not yet where he wants to be suggests he still has work to do before a full return, with his ability to rejoin the squad during the break set to depend on how he progresses.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Seeing consistent starts Posch has established himself as a regular starter at center-back this season.

Impact Posch has secured a consistent place in central defense, starting all three of his Bundesliga appearances. He has provided a solid defensive presence with seven tackles, four interceptions and eight clearances across those outings. His regular involvement should keep him firmly in the starting picture moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Nadiem Amiri - Remains key midfield starter Amiri has established himself as an undisputed starter in midfield and was also in the starting lineup for Germany against the Netherlands during the international break.

Impact Amiri remains a central figure in midfield, offering significant involvement in chance creation and set pieces despite being without a goal contribution this season. He has attempted seven shots while creating 14 chances and delivering 29 crosses, including 23 corners. Amiri is also the team's primary penalty taker, giving him additional opportunities to contribute offensively.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Silas Katompa Mvumpa - Progressing in rehabilitation Silas has made significant progress in his recovery from tibia and fibula fractures and could partially return to team training in mid-October, according to Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Silas is moving closer to the next stage of his rehabilitation following his lengthy absence. The attacker is expected to initially participate in portions of team training before gradually increasing his workload toward full involvement. There remains no timetable for his return to competitive action, but a potential return to team training in mid-October represents an encouraging step in his recovery.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Borussia Moenchengladbach hires Blessin as coach to fix disastrous Bundesliga start

Borussia Moenchengladbach has hired Alexander Blessin as its new coach, tasking him with turning around a losing start to the Bundesliga season

SEPTEMBER 22 • Associated Press

Fabio Gruber - Withdraws from Peru squad Gruber has withdrawn from the Peru squad for the upcoming international break due to knee irritation and will remain with Mainz to recover, according to the club.

Impact Gruber will use the international break to recover from the knee issue rather than joining Peru for international duty. Mainz have not indicated that the problem is serious, and the defender will have nearly three weeks to work toward a return. Gruber will hope to be available when Mainz resume Bundesliga action against Bayer Leverkusen on Oct. 10.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Scores as substitute Martel scored a goal with his lone shot while crossing once inaccurately during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.

Impact Martel entered the match in the 65th minute and scored 13 minutes later. The goal was the first this season for Martel as he made his first appearance following a three match absence due to a knee injury to begin the new year.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Schwolow - Back in goal Schwolow allowed three goals while making four saves during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.

Impact Schwolow allowed a goal in the first half and two in the second, but was backed with four goals as Mainz found all three points. The keeper has started half of Mainz's first four league matches allowing three goals while making five saves and keeping a clean sheet. Mainz take on Leverkusen following the international break.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Phillip Tietz - Goal streak continues Tietz scored a goal while taking three shots (two on goal) and crossing once inaccurately during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.

Impact Tietz found the back of the net in the 18th minute while finishing with the second most shots on the team. The forward is in red hot form scoring four goals while combining for 13 shots over his last three starts.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Sheraldo Becker - Stars against Gladbach Becker had an assist and scored a goal while taking five shots (three on goal), crossing four times (one accurate) and creating two chances during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.

Impact Becker set up Phillip Tietz in the 18th minute before scoring himself in first half stoppage time and leading Mainz in shots and chances created. The forward has combined for five goal involvements, 12 shots, nine crosses and six chances created over his last three starts.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Kaishu Sano - Assists in narrow victory Sano had an assist while taking an off target shot, creating two chances and making four interceptions during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.

Impact Sano set up Eric Martel in the 78th minute while leading Mainz in chances created and interceptions. The midfielder has combined for two assists, two shots, six chances created and 11 interceptions over his last three starts.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Danny da Costa - Nets eventual game winner da Costa scored a goal with his lone shot while crossing twice (one accurate) and creating two chances during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.

Impact da Costa entered the match in the 65th minute and scored the game winning goal in the 89th while tying for the team-high in chances created. The goal was the first goal involvement this season as da Costa hasn't made a start since the opening match of the campaign at the end of August.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Anthony Caci - Forced off with facial injury Caci was forced off in the 65th minute of Saturday's win at Borussia Moenchengladbach after Philipp Sander caught him in the face with his foot, the full-back departing with a bloo...

Impact Caci was forced off after being caught in the face by Philipp Sander's foot, with the incident ending his involvement in the 65th minute after he had assisted Sheraldo Becker's goal before halftime. Caci's afternoon at Borussia Moenchengladbach ended in the 65th minute on Saturday, the full-back leaving the pitch with a bloody nose following an accidental collision with Philipp Sander.The nature and severity of the facial injury remain unclear, so further assessment should determine whether he can resume training without restriction.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Finds bench role Martel (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's Bundesliga clash against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Impact Martel passed his late fitness call after coach Urs Fischer confirmed he was a candidate for the squad despite having only recently returned to full team training following his lengthy MCL injury absence. Fischer had already ruled out an immediate return to the starting XI, and a bench role represents the most logical first step in his reintegration as Mainz gradually increases his workload.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Eric Martel - Late call for Gladbach clash Martel (knee) is a late fitness call for Saturday's Bundesliga clash against Borussia Monchengladbach, according to coach Urs Fischer. "Martel is also a candidate for the squad, bu...

Impact Martel has continued to build his fitness after recently returning to full team training following a lengthy absence with an MCL injury. The midfielder is now close enough to a competitive return to be considered for Saturday's squad, though manager Urs Fischer has already ruled out an immediate return to the starting XI. If included, Martel would likely be limited to a substitute role as Mainz gradually increases his workload.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

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