Mainz vs Koln preview - Mainz encounter is no dead rubber
Posted Friday, May 15, 2015 by PA
Mainz and Cologne have already reached their goals for the season with room to spare, but that does not mean their clash at the Coface Arena this Saturday will be a dead rubber.
Avoiding relegation was the objective both clubs set out with at the start of the season, but finishing as high up the Bundesliga standings as possible is now the shared goal going into the final two fixtures of the season, without any pressure to perform.
The side who wants it the most may just come away with the full reward, according to Mainz coach Martin Schmidt, who expects that to be his side.
"I don't think it will be a complicated game," he said at a press conference. "We just have to show we have a stronger will than Cologne.
"It's about showing that we are better than our last two games. We need to put in a top performance with a lot of running, ambition, will and conviction.
"We want to get at Cologne high up the field."
Both clubs represent cities where celebrations and parties are second nature. Mainz and Cologne are Germany's carnival hotbeds and there was plenty of partying in the city last Sunday night after the Goats sealed their place in the top flight for next season.
There should still be more to celebrate in the final week of the season, though, with Cologne's Kevin Vogt insisting the season is not over yet.
"We want to maintain the excitement," he said. "We've still got two games left and we want to put everything into them once again.
"It's all about getting more points for a better league position, and we want to get as much as possible."
Former Cologne defender Daniel Brosnski misses out against his one-time club due to suspension.
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