There’s already a special atmosphere around Mainz right now. It’s Carnival time in the city and the people are getting into the swing of things as they prepare for the culmination of the city’s annual highlight.
"Carnival is always fun," said a smiling Mainz head coach Sandro Schwarz, who also spoke about a different sort of atmosphere that should spur his team on at home to Bayern on Saturday (15:30 CET, coverage available via our live ticker). “Everyone in the stadium creating a special atmosphere will be key,” stressed the 39-year-old. “Irrespective of the result, every spectator has to leave the stadium at 17:30 with the feeling that we gave our all.”
Mainz’s Carnival kit
Regardless of the result, Schwarz believes that the performance is what matters when 15th host first on Saturday. He praised the mentality of success, as well as the collective and individual quality in the FCB team. “They have a solution for everything.” However, Mainz want to combat against that. “We want complete willingness on the day, to defend on the front foot and to be brave. And when Bayern give us space, we have to be ruthless and take advantage,” Schwarz stressed.
The 05ers have a full squad available to them for this fixture, including January arrivals Nigel de Jong and Anthony Ujah. Goalkeeper Rene Adler could even make his return after three months out with a tendon and muscle tear. The hosts will also wear their one-off Carnival kit on Saturday, including a jester’s hat on the club’s crest and the traditional Carnival colours of the city: red, white, blue and yellow. They’ll no doubt be hoping for a crazy 90 minutes.
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