Mainz vs Hoffenheim preview - Szalai set to make emotional return

Posted Thursday, September 25, 2014 by PA

Adam Szalai is preparing to revisit the "most important chapter" of his career when Hoffenheim head to Mainz on Friday night.

It was in Mainz where the Hungarian forward made a name for himself before earning a move to Schalke.

He has since moved on from the Royal Blues, joining a club where he "enjoys the style of football", and he is now looking forward to paying the Coface Arena another visit.

"For me, visits to Mainz are always very emotional," he told mainz05.de. "Mainz was the most important chapter of my career so far.

"I had a really good time there and was able to establish myself in the Bundesliga, while the city and the club will always have a particular place in my heart.

"But I am a total professional and I will be able to put this attachment to one side for the 90 minutes I play there for Hoffenheim on Friday."

Both teams have made unbeaten starts to the season and are tied for fourth place on nine points from their first five matches.

"I've got to say I've been impressed with Mainz after their negative start to the season, with elimination from the Europa League and the DFB-Pokal," said Szalai.

"But it's no coincidence. Mainz have been playing at a good level for years and they have a good philosophy, but we still want to maintain our own series on Friday and hopefully end this busy week of games with three points."

Szalai remains a doubt due to the tonsillitis which ruled him out of Tuesday's 3-3 draw with Freiburg, but coach Markus Gisdol has all of his other regulars available.

Mainz boast the Bundesliga's top goalscorer in their ranks with Shinji Okazaki netting his fifth goal of the season in midweek.