“We weren’t ready and that’s my fault”

The 05ers react to a sobering evening at the Volksparkstadion.

Mainz succumbed to a heavy 4-0 defeat in Hamburg, a result that underlined the size of the task facing Bo Henriksen’s side as they head into the international break sitting 16th, with just one win from their opening six fixtures.

Head coach Bo Henriksen was self-critical following the game: “We weren’t ready and that’s my fault. We have to defend better in the first ten minutes, after which the game is almost over. We have to be much better in the duels, win second balls. I have to make sure of that.”

Henriksen also refused to accept Thursday’s game in Nicosia as an excuse for his side’s performance: 

“Of course, it’s difficult after Europe. But the story of today’s game is that HSV wants to win. And my job is to ensure that we give 110, 120 percent and not come here thinking we’ll already win.”

Captain Nadiem Amiri also shared his disappointment following the loss: 

“Unfortunately, it just wasn’t good enough across every aspect of the game today. Hamburg could just stand on the halfway line and wait for a counter attack. Every mistake we made was punished and there were far too many gaps in our team. It’s been a bit of a problem for us this season; we’re too vulnerable on the counter attack and we aren’t strong enough in challenges or when going for second balls.”

Henriksen and Mainz will now look to use the break to reset and regroup, with five games in 15 days awaiting them after the international break – starting with Leverkusen’s visit to the Mewa Arena in two weeks’ time.