FSV Mainz 05 Team News - Soccer

Benedict Hollerbach - First ball work in training camp Hollerbach (Achilles) took part in the team's warmup during the first session of Mainz's training camp in Austria and completed his first exercises with the ball, the club posted.

Impact Hollerbach is progressing well as he continues his buildup toward a return to competition following the Achilles tendon tear he suffered in late January. It remains unclear how much he will participate in training over the coming days, but recent photos suggest he is on the right track and gradually closing in on a return to match action.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ransford Konigsdorffer - Starts in friendly clash Konigsdorffer (face) is in the starting squad for Saturday's friendly against Holstein Kiel, confirming he is fully fit to play, the club posted.

Impact Konigsdorffer's return to the starting lineup is an encouraging sign after being forced off in an earlier preseason friendly against Kaiserslautern following a facial injury sustained in an aerial duel. His involvement suggests the issue was not serious, positioning him to continue making a strong impression in preseason as he competes with Phillip Tietz for playing time in the attack heading into 2026/27.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - Begins to run Hollerbach (Achilles) has started to train individually, according to Florian Schlecht and Pascal Affelder of Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Hollerbach is seeing some huge news this week, as the forward saw the field for the first time since his Achilles tendon tear at the end of January. He would only be able to run and was not training with a ball yet, although this is still good news. He will now have a little longer than a month to recover ahead of the season, likely to be a close call to be fit by the end of August.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - Set for light work in training camp Hollerbach (achilles) will join Mainz's training camp beginning July 27 in Tyrol where he is set to complete light training sessions, according to the Allgemeine Zeitung.

Impact Hollerbach has been unavailable for match action since suffering a torn Achilles in late January, and his inclusion in the training camp is more about team bonding at this stage than any imminent return to full training. His participation in light sessions marks a step forward in his rehabilitation, though his path back to competitive action remains gradual as Mainz builds toward the new season.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Ransford Konigsdorffer - Forced off after facial injury Konigsdorffer was forced off after being struck in the face by the goalkeeper's arm during an aerial duel in Saturday's preseason friendly against Kaiserslautern, according to the...

Impact Konigsdorffer was initially treated on the field before the decision was made not to allow him to continue, though he was able to watch the rest of the match from the stands, an early positive sign. The forward joined Mainz this offseason after a solid debut Bundesliga season with Hamburger, contributing five goals in 33 appearances, and will be looking to make a strong preseason impression as he competes with Phillip Tietz for playing time at forward.

JULY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Schwolow - Signs with Mainz Schwolow has signed with Mainz from Scottish runners up Heart of Midlothian, according to the club, with an agreement in place allowing him to first complete Hearts' two remaining...

Impact Schwolow brings over 200 Bundesliga appearances to Mainz along with experience in the 2. Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Scottish Premiership, and just completed a strong season with Hearts that saw the club fall narrowly short of the Scottish title. The 34 year old goalkeeper, born near Mainz, gives the club a proven and experienced option between the posts as it prepares for the new Bundesliga 2026/27 campaign.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Benedict Hollerbach - Not an option for friendly Hollerbach (achilles) is not an option for Friday's friendly against Kaiserlautern, according to the club.

Impact Hollerbach underwent surgery for the torn Achilles that ended his previous season and has been working through his rehabilitation since, with a return targeted for the start of the new 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. His continued absence from preseason action suggests his recovery timeline is still ongoing, and his path back to full training will be worth monitoring closely as Mainz builds toward the season opener.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Starts once at World Cup Widmer generated one tackle (one won) and three clearances in Saturday's 3-1 defeat versus Argentina.

Impact Widmer would appear from the bench Saturday, notching a decent 34-minute shift as he recorded one tackle won and three clearances. The defender would only start in one of his five appearances at the World Cup, recording two interceptions, four tackles and nine clearances. He now heads back to Mainz, where he will likely have a starting role waiting on the right flank.

JULY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Marco Richter - Back with Mainz after loan Richter is back with Mainz after spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Darmstadt.

Impact Richter enjoyed a successful loan spell at Darmstadt last season, finishing with two goals and 10 assists across 30 2. Bundesliga appearances. He probably did enough on loan to fight for a roster spot with Mainz ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Hong Hyeon-seok - Back after Gent loan Hong is back with Mainz after spending the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Gent.

Impact Hong spent time on loan at Nantes and Gent in the 2025/26 season, and it remains to be seen whether he'll secure a steady role in Mainz's first team for the 2026/27 campaign. Over those two loan spells, Hong made 25 appearances across all competitions but notched just one goal and one assist -- both for Gent.

JULY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Could start against Algeria Widmer is fully fit and could start Switzerland's Round of 32 against Algeria after missing just one training session due to a hip issue, according to Radio Tele Suisse.

Impact Widmer's quick return to full training puts him in direct contention for the starting right-back role against Algeria, competing with Dennis Zakaria for the position if Luca Jaquez (undisclosed) is ruled out. The Mainz right-back enjoyed a solid 2025/26 Bundesliga season, making 27 appearances across 1,819 minutes and contributing two goals and one assist for his club, and brings valuable experience and an attacking threat from full-back that Switzerland will hope to utilize in what is a decisive fixture. His ability to combine defensive reliability with forward runs and crossing output makes him a key option for coach Murat Yakin as the Swiss look to qualify for the round of 16.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Back in training after hip concern Widmer (hip) returned to team training on Tuesday after missing Monday's session, according to bluewin.

Impact Widmer bounced back quickly from the hip issue, rejoining the team session on Tuesday and putting himself in direct competition with Dennis Zakaria for the right back berth against Algeria, with Luca Jaquez's availability for the clash remaining uncertain.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Nadiem Amiri - Scores in penalty shootout Amiri recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Monday's 1-1 (5-4) penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay.

Impact Amiri entered the field for the final 10 minutes of extra time Monday, featuring for only the second time all tournament. He would see an important moment in the penalty shootout, as he stepped up as their fifth penalty shooter to keep them alive, and successfully did so before their eventual loss. The midfielder only played 40 minutes all tournament, notching one assist on a chance created to go along with two shots and two crosses.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Kaishu Sano - Scores in loss to Brazil Sano scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Monday's 2-1 defeat to Brazil. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 12th minute.

Impact Sano broke the deadlock for Japan midway through the first half with a shot from outside the box that sneaked past Alisson's reach. However, the defensive midfielder looked overmatched by the creativity of the Brazilian playmakers in the second half. Sano, primarily a holding midfielder, finished the World Cup with one goal, one assist, four interceptions, three tackles and two clearances in three starts.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Suffering from hip injury Widmer was not in training Sunday due to a hip injury ahead of Thursday's match against Algeria, according to Lucas Werder of Blick Sports.

Impact Widmer is bringing some concerns to the Swiss team ahead of their round of 32 game, as he was unable to train due to a hip injury. This will be something to watch for the team, as he did start in one game and has appeared in their last two, a useful option at right-back. That said, if he were to miss time, expect Luca Jaquez or Denis Zakaria to start on the right.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Limited impact defensively Posch recorded one cross (zero accurate) and three clearances in Saturday's 3-3 draw versus Algeria.

Impact Posch didn't have much impact in a game where Austria conceded three goals, as he offered little going forward and posted average numbers defensively. Posch could remain at right-back to face Spain in the Round of 32 on Thursday, but he's not likely to carry a ton of fantasy upside in a game where Austria are expected to be massive underdogs.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Phillipp Mwene - Sends three crosses in draw Mwene recorded one shot (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Algeria.

Impact Mwene started on the left side of the Austrian defense and was a constant attacking threat, completing three crosses, but he also struggled defensively against Riyad Mahrez, who scored two goals. Mwene has started in two of Austria's three matches so far, but with Spain coming up next in the Round of 32, he could return to the bench in favor of Konrad Laimer, who would move from AMR to LB while adding another defensive-minded presence in midfield.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Starts on Monday Posch had two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Monday's 2-0 defeat against Argentina. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 40th minute.

Impact Posch covered over seven kilometers and also recorded a clearance. He was frequently forced into 2v1 and 3v1 battles as Argentina exploited the right side. He committed a penalty in the seventh minute following a 3v1 situation. Lionel Messi's opener in the 38th minute also came from a build up from the right side.

JUNE 23 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Gets start against Argentina Posch (jaw) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash against Argentina.

Impact Posch overcame the fractured jaw sustained against Jordan to earn a starting role, with the custom-made protective mask providing sufficient protection for Austria's medical staff to clear him for the demanding fixture against Argentina. His increased involvement in training had been flagged as an encouraging development, and his ability to push through such a significant injury to earn a starting role is a remarkable show of determination at a critical stage of Austria's World Cup campaign.

JUNE 22 • ROTOWIRE

Kaishu Sano - Assist Saturday Sano recorded one assist on a chance created and one cross in Saturday's 4-0 win over Tunisia.

Impact Sano would once again play the full 90 for Japan as they defeated Tunisia, his second straight game playing the full 90. However, he would walk away with an assist this time, finding Ayase Ueda in the 83rd minute for the final goal of the match. He would also complete 71 passes, third-best on the team Saturday.

JUNE 21 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Trains with protective mask Posch (jaw) has been training with the specially designed protective mask made for him and could be available for the clash against Argentina, according to the federation.

Impact Posch's increased involvement in training is an encouraging development following the fractured jaw he sustained against Jordan, with the custom-made mask providing the protection needed for him to work with his teammates. Austria's medical staff will continue to assess his readiness before making a final decision on his availability, but his progression in training is a positive sign heading into what promises to be a demanding fixture. Konrad Laimer and Alexander Prass remain on standby at right-back should Posch ultimately be unable to feature.

JUNE 21 • ROTOWIRE

Nadiem Amiri - Assists as substitute Saturday Amiri assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 win against Cote D'ivoire.

Impact Amiri made an immediate impact as he took Aleksandar Pavlovic's place in the 60th minute and delivered a ball into the box that led to the equalizer in the 68th of the game. The Mainz midfielder has been limited to a backup role so far, but the assist could boost his chances of competing for a starting spot in future clashes. In that case, he can hold all-around potential if his team continues to dominate against weaker opposition, although he lacks a solid fantasy floor as he's not an undisputed starter and rarely takes set pieces at the international level.

JUNE 20 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Posch - Trains partially with team Posch (jaw) took part in a portion of Austria's training session at Harder Stadium with a special brace made for him in Los Angeles, though it remains unclear whether he will be ab...

Impact Posch's involvement in training, even in a limited capacity, is an encouraging sign following the fractured jaw he sustained against Jordan, though Austria's medical staff will need more time to determine his readiness for the next group stage clash. Konrad Laimer and Alexander Prass remain on standby at right-back should Posch be unable to feature against Argentina.

JUNE 20 • ROTOWIRE

Silvan Widmer - Little impact but active in attack Widmer had four crosses (one accurate) and four clearances in Thursday's 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Impact Widmer came into the side at right back at the expense of Denis Zakaria after starting the opening game on the bench. He had the fewest touches of any Swiss defender and completed just 20 passes as Switzerland's attacking play was channeled more through Ricardo Rodriguez and Dan Ndoye on the opposite flank. However he was far from inactive, making several runs into dangerous areas and getting into the opposition box on multiple occasions, though he was unable to turn that into a shot or a chance created.

JUNE 19 • ROTOWIRE

Lee Jae-sung - Logs 57 minutes, wins three tackles Lee logged four tackles (three won) across 57 minutes during South Korea's 1-0 loss Thursday at Mexico.

Impact Up until Lee's 57th-minute substitution, South Korea struggled to generate any offense, which indicates why his best production is from defense. It was great nonetheless, as even with his limited time, he logged Korea's most tackles won. But when it comes to an attacking substitution, which was also done against the Czech Republic, Lee is Korea's odd man out, even over a struggling Heung-Min Son. Once again, he was replaced by Hwang Hee-Chan, this time against Mexico. Unless the aforementioned Lee impacts early, his upside will be limited by being Korea's first departing attacker.

JUNE 18 • ROTOWIRE

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