#BMGM05: Match reaction

After the 2-2 draw between the Foals and Mainz 05, we have the reactions of Florian Neuhaus, Nico Elvedi, Joe Scally and the two managers Gerardo Seoane and Bo Svensson.

Florian Neuhaus: Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make the most of our chances, but at the end of the day the point is satisfactory for both teams. The crucial moment was the quick equaliser. We would’ve liked to have been ahead for longer and found a second goal, but we didn’t manage that sadly. I’m happy about my first headed goal, but I would’ve preferred three points. Despite that, a lot of what we set out to do worked well, especially in the first half. We have to be pleased with the point given the second half. Next up for us is the derby, which we desperately want to win.

Nico Elvedi: Naturally, we’re annoyed because we would’ve liked to pick up all three points. Nevertheless, we’re on the right track. We played well in the first half, created lots of chances and deserved to go 1-0 up. Shortly afterwards, Mainz levelled it up at 1-1 out of nowhere and came back into the game. They had good chances in the second half, but we still did reasonably and stayed compact. The start of the season was bumpy, but we have gradually settled on the pitch and things are starting to get increasingly better. The next test now is the derby. It’s an important game, in which we would like to pick up three points at all costs.

Joe Scally: It wasn’t an easy game for us today. We put in a good performance in the first half, but Mainz came out with a lot of intensity after the break and made it really hard for us. We certainly wanted to win, but it’s important at the end of the day that we picked up a point. I am very happy to have made it 2-2 with my first goal of the season and to have helped the team.

Head coach Gerardo Seoane: We started the game well and had the opposition largely under control. We created lots of good situations and chances where clarity and decisiveness was lacking. When you produce so much against Mainz, you’ve done a lot right in attack, but you still need to make that count in terms of the score. After the break, we lost our way somewhat, became sloppier in our duels and allowed the opposition chances as a result. In the last 20 minutes, we threw everything at them once again and created some good situations. The draw was absolutely deserved on balance.

Head coach Bo Svensson (Mainz): I’m pleased with our performance. My boys gave their all and tried everything they could. But we also had a bit of luck, because Robin Zentner kept us in the game in the first half and after we went 2-1 ahead. At the same time, it’s a shame that we weren’t rewarded with a win. Admittedly, a draw was a fair result over the 90 minutes, but nevertheless, conceding such a late goal annoyed me a lot. In our situation, we should have seen out the game defensively. But our way is clear: whether the game ended 2-1 or 2-2, we focus on our own game. Now we need to keep working and improve in every area.