1. FSV Mainz 05: In dire need of a spark | OneFootball

Ten games into the Bundesliga campaign, the situation is becoming increasingly worrying. Mainz sit 17th, with just one league victory to their name and kept off the bottom only by goal difference. For a team that finished sixth last season and entered the campaign with optimism, the drop-off has been stark.

What has changed since last season?

The most obvious issue is the Jonathan Burkardt-shaped void in attack. Last season’s top scorer with 18 league goals departed for Frankfurt in the summer, and the forwards expected to replace his output have struggled badly. Record signing Benedict Hollerbach, Nelson Weiper, William Bøving and Armindo Sieb have combined for just two league goals, leaving Mainz without the cutting edge that defined their previous campaign.

Another major shift is their collapse at home. During the 2024/25 season, Mainz lost only three times in the league at the Mewa Arena. This time around, they have already been beaten in four of their first five home fixtures, a statistic that will concern Henriksen deeply and one that must improve quickly if they are to climb away from trouble.

European hangovers?

Last year’s sixth-place finish brought the reward of European football, but it has also added strain to a squad that was not particularly deep to begin with and includes several players over the age of thirty. The additional workload appears to be taking a toll.

Although Mainz have been excellent in the Conference League with three wins from three, they have failed to translate those performances into Bundesliga momentum. Every league match that has followed a Thursday night European fixture has ended in defeat, creating a frustrating pattern of progress in Europe and stagnation domestically.

Tactical shift needed?

A recurring complaint among supporters is Henriksen’s determination to stick with the same system and largely the same personnel despite declining performances. His 3-4-2-1 setup was a major success last season, built on aggressive pressing, versatility and intelligent use of wingbacks. This season, however, the approach has looked increasingly predictable.

Ball retention has become a major issue, placing extra pressure on a defence already short on confidence. The once-relentless pressing has disappeared for long stretches, and the threat from wide areas has evaporated. Despite leading the league in open-play crosses, Mainz have yet to score a single Bundesliga goal directly from one, largely because there are far fewer players attacking the box with conviction compared to last season.

Whether the root cause is psychological fatigue or opponents adapting to their approach, Henriksen may be forced to rethink his tactics if he wants to revive the team’s fortunes.

What are the fans saying?

Frustration is growing among the supporters. Many question the coach’s selections and tactics, and some are beginning to debate whether Henriksen’s time at the club should come to an end if results do not improve soon.

There is also a belief among certain sections of the fanbase that the decline began last season. Mainz finished sixth, but their final nine league matches brought only one victory and saw them fall from a promising position in the table. Some fans feel that the sixth-placed league finish masked underlying problems that have now come into full view.

One genuine positive, however, has been the emergence of 18-year-old defender Kacper Potulski. The Poland U21 international has started all three Conference League matches and barely put a foot wrong. His standout performance came in the 2-1 win over Fiorentina, which has prompted many supporters to call for him to feature more regularly in the Bundesliga. There is real excitement about his potential to become a long-term leader at the back.

Hopes after the break?

With a crucial run of matches between now and the winter break, Mainz will be looking to rediscover the spark that carried them through last season. A renewed intensity on the pitch could quickly lift the mood in the stands and restore some much-needed confidence around the club.

The schedule is challenging, with away trips to Freiburg and Bayern as well as Conference League journeys to Romania and Poland. Their home form, therefore, will be essential in beginning to distance themselves from the relegation battle on the way to preserving their Bundesliga status, which they have held since the 2009/10 season.

Mainz now have the chance to reset after the international break and begin the recovery process. They open the Bundesliga weekend by hosting Hoffenheim on Friday evening, a fixture that offers the ideal opportunity to silence the critics and start rebuilding momentum.