Baum: “Our focus is solely on Mainz”

After an exciting week, FCA coach Manuel Baum turns his focus completely to the game on Sunday (15:30 CET) against Mainz 05. “We have a very important game ahead of us that we no doubt want to win,” said the 39-year-old. Manuel Baum spoke today about the team he plans to field on Sunday, “We now need the players to play for the team from the heart. On Sunday we will put out a starting XI that will give everything for the club.” After the hectic nature of the last few weeks he is certain, “that the team wants to make sporting headlines again.” With 27 points, the upcoming opponents sit at tenth in the table and have two wins from two in the Rückrunde. “Mainz strengthened themselves very well in the summer and bring a lot of physicality onto the pitch. After some difficulties at the beginning you can now clearly see the direction they’re going in and how well they play,” said Baum, who went on to talk about the tactics for the game. “Even if they are not easy to read, we will try to frustrate Mainz when we are in possession.” Alternatives for Baum Through the signing of Reece Oxford, Baum now has further alternatives in defense. “He could already be involved on Sunday – he would be a very good and fresh influence.” Oxford will meet up again with Kevin Danso, as the two know each other well. “They’ve known each other a long time, they’re the same age and Kevin grew up in England,” said Baum, who sees Danso as a player that encapsulates the values of the club, which “he underlined that with his long-term contract extension,” according to Baum. Manuel Baum has further options in midfield as Ja-Cheol Koo and Dong-Won Ji return from the Asian-Cup. Missing out on Sunday are Raphael Framberger (who had an operation on Wednesday), Julian Schieber, Kilian Jakob, Felix Schwarzholz and Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, who are all out with injury.