Foals begin preparations for Mainz game

Borussia began the training week ahead of Sunday's (17:30 CEST) home game against Mainz 05 on Sunday.

The group was a small one again, with Matthias Ginter, Florian Neuhaus (both Germany), Breel Embolo, Nico Elvedi (both Switzerland), Stefan Lainer (Austria), Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) and Yann Sommer (positive coronavirus test during international duty with Switzerland) all absent from training.

Head coach Adi Hütter was also without Jonas Hofmann, who was able to leave self-isolation after testing negative for the coronavirus, but is still unable to return to team training as he works on his comeback from a muscle strain suffered around three weeks ago. Luca Netz and Joe Scally (both with muscle problems) trained individually. “I think that both of them will be able to return to team training during the week,” said Hütter. The coach was able to welcome Marvin Friedrich, Jordan Beyer and Patrick Herrmann back to the training pitch after the trio recovered from coronavirus. While Friedrich took part in the warm up with the team, Beyer and Herrmann participated in more parts of team training.

The squad will train five more times before Sunday’s (17:30 CEST) home game against Mainz: on Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 as well as Thursday (double session) and Saturday. “I’m expecting a very intense game against Mainz. They’re a side who are very strong in duels and play an uncomfortable style of football. We have to take on the fight,” said Hütter. “We’re playing at home and in front of a lot of fans for the first time in a long time. The past two games should give us a lift.”