Press Conference | Ole Werner’s RB Leipzig can expect “a hectic and aggressive match” against Mainz 05

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·12 September 2025

Press Conference | Ole Werner’s RB Leipzig can expect “a hectic and aggressive match” against Mainz 05

RB Leipzig head coach Ole Werner steadied the ship somewhat with a 2-0 home win against FC Heidenheim just before the international break. This weekend, the Saxons play Mainz 05, a team that pipped them to European football last term. A win in Rhineland-Palatinate for Leipzig will go a long way both for Werner and the possible direction Leipzig’s season will take.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, Werner gave his thoughts on Mainz, his squad, and updates following the recent international break.

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Werner’s thoughts on Mainz and what type of game his team can expect: “We can expect it to be a hectic and aggressive match. We will also need to keep an eye on the players’ workloads, in order to ensure that we’re full of energy for the match. First and foremost, however, we need to focus on ourselves and play to our strengths. We’re prepared for every player that we’ll come up against at the weekend, including Amiri.”

Werner confirmed that both Benjamin Henrichs and Amadou Hiadara are the only players from the squad to miss the Mainz match through injury.

Ezechiel Banzuzi has since returned to team training after suffering a fractured metacarpus and is now available for selection.

Werner then spoke of his happiness about having everyone back from international duty: “For the first time, we were now able to meet with our full team that will remain in this form over the winter. I’m very happy with the group of players that I’ve got. Obviously, there will be some tough decisions to make, but we will need each and every one of them.” He continued: “Everyone will have an opportunity to showcase themselves. We have a lot of talent in our team and several players who want and can take up responsibility. Now, it’s about getting settled in and working on developing our players.”

GGFN | Jamie Allen