Mainz 05
Main Players
- Kaishu Sano (24, Midfield) – 34 apps, 3044 mins, core stability but no goal output.
- Jae-Sung Lee (32, Attacking Midfield/Forward) – 31(2) apps, 7 goals, 6 assists, versatile creator.
- Jonathan Burkardt (24, Forward) – 18 goals, 2 assists in 28 apps; left the club, major loss.
- Paul Nebel (22, Att. Midfield) – 10 assists, 4 goals, emerging playmaker.
- Anthony Caci (27, Defense/Midfield) – 7 goals, 1 assist, provides wide attacking threat.
Departures
- Jonathan Burkardt – primary scorer lost.
- Moritz Jenz (26, CB) – weakened defensive rotation.
- Nadiem Amiri (28, CM) – 7 assists, 5 goals, creativity lost in midfield.
New Arrivals
- Benedict Hollerbach (24, FW/AM) – 9 goals in 30(4), expected to share scoring load.
- Sota Kawasaki (23, DM) – midfield depth.
- Kasey Bos (21, LB) – young fullback cover.
- Konstantin Schopp (19, CB) – youth prospect.
Substitutes
- Andreas Hanche-Olsen (28, CB) – experienced cover, 1279 mins.
- Nelson Weiper (20, FW) – 3 goals, 2 assists in rotation.
- Hyun-Seok Hong (25, MF) – 1 assist in limited minutes, left the squad.
- Silvan Widmer (32, RB) – depth, 1 assist in 27 apps (mostly as sub).
Key Weakness: Loss of Burkardt and Amiri leaves Mainz with creativity and finishing gap.
Strength: Paul Nebel and Hollerbach can still generate attacking spark.
FC Köln
New Arrivals
- Rav van den Berg (21, CB) – defensive stability.
- Tom Krauß (24, CM) – engine in midfield, balances transitions.
- Ragnar Ache (26, FW) – forward reinforcement after multiple striker exits.
- Jakub Kaminski (23, LW) and Marius Bülter (32, LW) – new width options.
- Ron-Robert Zieler (36, GK) – veteran presence between the posts.
- Kristoffer Lund (23, LB) and Sebastian Sebulonsen (25, RB) – full-back revamp.
Departures
- Damion Downs, Steffen Tigges, Tim Lemperle (CFs) – attacking rotation thinned.
- Dejan Ljubicic, Mathias Olesen (Midfield) – weakened defensive midfield balance.
- Max Finkgräfe (LB), Jonas Nickisch (GK) – squad depth losses.
Overall Impact
- Köln refreshed their defense and flanks significantly.
- But losing three strikers creates dependency on Ragnar Ache immediately.
- Midfield remains balanced but less experienced without Ljubicic.
Consolidated Quality Scorecard
Category | Mainz 05 Rating | FC Köln Rating |
Main Players | ⭐⭐⭐ (Burkardt loss hurts) | ⭐⭐ (new players yet to gel) |
New Signings | ⭐⭐ (Hollerbach key) | ⭐⭐⭐ (strong influx across lines) |
Substitutes | ⭐⭐ (some experience, limited impact) | ⭐⭐ (new but untested depth) |
Defensive Solidity | ⭐⭐ (lost Jenz) | ⭐⭐⭐ (revamped CB & FB line) |
Attacking Threat | ⭐⭐ (dependence on Nebel + Hollerbach) | ⭐⭐ (Ache has pressure, LW depth added) |
Overall Depth | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Predicted Outcome
- Mainz 05: Adjusting after losing their top scorer, creative load falls on Nebel and Lee.
- FC Köln: Defensive rebuild looks strong, but frontline heavily depends on Ache adapting quickly.
Likely a balanced, low-scoring match.
Prediction: Draw (1-1)
