“We must unleash our full potential”

Even in his second season at BVB, it will be a special game for former Mainz Manager Thomas Tuchel, “because I still have many memories of my time there and I have the opportunity to meet friends and acquaintances”. But the unusual circumstances will not be in such a way that “I won’t be able to concentrate fully or that it will disrupt the team’s appetite for victory”.

Tuchel wants to win with his team in Mainz, despite knowing the difficult task up ahead: “It is an evening match and Mainz will be hosting a team favourite. Together with the crowd, the Manager and the team will be trying to create an atmosphere that enables them to really elevate themselves.” Tuchel expects the Mainz outfit to be more than up to the task and has asked of his team to “fully match them in every department and unleash our full potential”.

Reinforce standards

Another 3 points will be necessary for BVB to be in with a shout as it gets congested at the top of the table. Eintracht Frankfurt already came away with all three points in their match on Friday evening and as a result shunted BVB down to third place in the table. Second place RB Leipzig and fourth-placed Hoffenheim will face off on Saturday afternoon, with Leipzig playing “very consistently” and Hoffenheim “still unbeaten”. Tuchel attested to the potential of both teams, as well as Eintracht Frankfurt. “All three could play the role of the outsider as they are all seemingly at the top against all expectations.” That helps, “to get over defeats more quickly because you are constantly over-achieving in this role.” For BVB to also be competing at the top of the table is their own standard: “we want to reinforce our own standards to reach our goals”.

And what better way to do that than with a win in Mainz.

Christina Reinke

This is how they could line up
Personnel matters: Aubameyang available

New video on BVB total!: the entire press conference for the game in Mainz