Mainz 05 vs. Borussia Mönchengladbach preview: Can a coaching change spark a Mainz revival? | OneFootball

Both teams arrive on contrasting trajectories, and a major shake-up at Mainz adds extra intrigue to Friday’s clash. The new-look 05ers will be desperate to launch their climb away from danger against a Gladbach side enjoying their best spell of form this season.

Sunday’s heavy 4-0 loss in Freiburg proved to be the final straw for Bo Henriksen. After eight league games without a win and a slide to the bottom of the table for the first time since matchday nine of the 2023/24 campaign, the club hierarchy reached the decision to part ways with the Dane.

The fact that the announcement only came on Wednesday underlines how reluctant the club were to make the change. Nevertheless, U23 coach Benjamin Hoffmann has been handed the reins on an interim basis and now has a chance to lift the mood and reconnect with the fans, starting with a sorely needed home win on Friday night.

Hoffmann has outlined his approach ahead of Friday’s game: 

“For now, it's about giving the lads confidence first and foremost. That comes through lots of conversations. Then we'd like to make use of the element of surprise tomorrow… Above all, I'd love it if we lit that fire on the pitch and took the fans with us. Then this place can really turn into a cauldron of emotions."

Gladbach, meanwhile, continue to grow under Eugen Polanski. After failing to win any of their opening eight games, the former Foals midfielder has guided his side to three victories in four, lifting them to 12th in the table.

Their winning run may have ended with last Friday’s 0-0 draw at home to an equally in-form RB Leipzig, but the performance showcased something the side had been missing for some time: genuine resilience. With Polanski in charge, optimism around Borussia-Park is returning.

Polanski insists his team will stay focused on themselves, despite the turbulence at Mainz:

“We were a little surprised by the suddenness of the change, although we’re still focusing on our own strengths ahead of tomorrow. We’ve already analysed the opponent in the run-up to the game, and so the whole situation isn’t going to affect our plan too much.”

History is also on Mainz’s side. They haven’t lost any of the last nine meetings with Gladbach (W4, D5). However, their visitors can take encouragement from their recent away form, having won their last two on the road with an aggregate score of 7-0. Gladbach are, though, winless in their last seven Friday night fixtures.

Team news: 

For Mainz, Paul Nebel is suspended following his red card in Freiburg, joining Dominik Kohr on the sidelines. Robin Zentner and Anthony Caci remain out injured.

Returning forward Tim Kleindienst received another setback meaning he is unavailable once more. Jens Castrop, Franck Honorat and Florian Neuhaus are doubtful, though Gladbach remains optimistic. Fabio Chiarodia, Nathan Ngoumou, Jonas Omlin, Robin Hack, Jonas Urbich and Philipp Sander are all unavailable due to injury.

Predicted lineups: 

Mainz 05 (3-4-2-1): Rieß (GK) - da Costa, Bell, Hanche-Olsen - Widmer, Sano, Amiri, Mwene - Lee, Hollerbach - Weiper 

Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-5-2): Nicolas (GK) - Scally, Elvedi, Diks - Reyna, Engelhardt, Reitz, Stöger, Netz - Tabaković, Machino