Matchday in focus: 1. FSV Mainz 05 | OneFootball

A closer look at Eintracht’s upcoming opponents on Bundesliga Matchday 32.

Absentees

Anthony Caci is struggling with an ankle complaint so is doubtful for Mainz, while Moritz Jenz, who missed last week’s game against Bayern Munich with a hip issue, is still not at full fitness. Both players are back in training but Henriksen said he would only make a decision on their inclusion after the team’s final training session.

Eintracht, meanwhile, are still without Kaua Santos and Mario Götze.

One to watch: Jae-sung Lee

Jae-sung Lee is a pillar of Mainz’s midfield. The 32-year-old, now in his fourth Bundesliga season, has impressed this term with his reading of the game, dynamism and tireless running. He is also a key member of the South Korean national team.

Tactics

Under head coach Bo Henriksen, Mainz are a disciplined and extremely awkward opponent, characterised primarily by their uncompromising commitment when out of possession. Furthermore, they aim to put the opposition under pressure as soon as possible through their fierce intensity and bold pressing, thereby forcing errors and creating opportunities in transition.

As such, head coach Dino Toppmöller is expecting “a high-intensity game of football – that’s how Mainz go into a lot of their home games.”

Henriksen, who was recently named as Denmark’s Coach of the Year, tends to send his team out in a compact 3-4-2-1 formation when out of possession.

Jae-sung Lee …

Facts and figures

Eintracht Frankfurt have a six-point advantage over fifth place going into Matchday 32. Since the three-point rule was introduced, no team with such a big lead has ever been caught over the final three matchdays of a season.

Mainz are unbeaten in their last 11 home games in the league. That is the longest such run of all top-flight teams, and a joint club record within a single Bundesliga season.

Familiar faces

Stefan Bell, Danny da Costa and Dominik Kohr all previously laced their boots for Eintracht.