The praise from all sides is a bit uncomfortable for Daniel Batz considering Mainz 05's 0-1 defeat. How long he will continue to stand in for Robin Zentner is uncertain.
This week, Zentner intends to make a new training attempt with a splint, as the first attempt was thwarted by severe pain. Additionally, modifications will be made to his glove. Until Zentner, who suffered a bone finger injury at TSG Hoffenheim, can return to the goal of Mainz 05, Batz is the first choice.
The 32-year-old was preferred over the ten years younger Lasse Rieß. Jan Siewert justifies the coaching staff's decision, saying, "In such a situation, you need experience."
"I would have preferred congratulations for the victory," Batz commented after the 0:1 loss to SC Freiburg, during which he delivered a confident performance despite his last Bundesliga game being over eleven years ago. "We played a good game, but we were not efficient enough in the penalty area, and we missed the chance to finish earlier," Batz recapped the match.
Mainz 05 lost a game that they "shouldn't have lost," as noted by not only the sports director Martin Schmidt, given the FSV's dominance. "We defended really well and didn't allow much. In our situation, every point and every win counts, and we would have liked to take that with us," emphasized Batz, who was informed the day before after the final training that he was chosen as Zentner's replacement.
"For me personally, it's an emotional day"
"The previous Bundesliga game was way too long ago. For me personally, it's a very special day. I've been through many ups and downs, a lot of hard work, many people who have accompanied me, to make it back to the Bundesliga. For me personally, it's an emotional day. Nevertheless, I would have liked to have more control over the situation," he described his mixed feelings.
His last Bundesliga game until then was 4,229 days ago on May 5, 2012, when he replaced Oliver Baumann while playing for SC Freiburg. In the meantime, Batz played over 300 third division and regional league games for Chemnitzer FC, SV Elversberg, and 1. FC Saarbrücken.
"He played a very good game, did a lot of coaching, just as we're used to seeing from him in training. He has a great presence, is a great guy, and deserved this game. He's always there for the team. I'm happy for him that he got to play in the Bundesliga again after eleven years," emphasized Mainz 05 captain Silvan Widmer.
