Football Season Guide

A season that promised mid-table obscurity ended on a successful note for Mainz as they finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season that saw them qualify directly to the Europa League group stages. Having lost two of their key players in Shinji Okazaki and Johannes Geis, Mainz were expected to finish mid-table in coach Martin Schmidt's first full season in charge of the club and the pre-season expectations looked to be spot on in the first half of the season. However a combination of improved form and teams above them dropping points meant that Mainz rose up the table and at one point had emerged as a serious challenger for a top four finish, though ultimately having had to settle for the sixth placed. Despite the dip in form, Schmidt will be delighted with how the season unfolded for his side but will be aware that repeating it will be tougher this time around as Mainz will have to cope with the drudgery of the Europa League as well. Schmidt's task has been made even more difficult as Mainz lost two more key players in the summer, with first choice keeper Loris Karius sold to Liverpool while Julian Baumgartlinger has also left the club for Bayer Leverkusen. Mainz though have been busy over the summer as they look to improve their depth with Jhon Cordoba their biggest acquisition so far, with the striker doing enough last season for Schmidt to convert his loan stint into a permanent move. Christian Clemens has also been re-signed after playing a key role in Mainz's second half improvement while Jonas Lossl and Jean-Philippe Gbamin have arrived from Guingamp and Lens respectively and will be replacing Karius and Baumgartlinger. With Christoph Moritz also being sold and Dani Schahin, Elkin Soto and Henrique Sereno released after their contracts expired, Mainz have looked for younger alternatives to boost their depth with Jose Rodriguez and Gerrit Holtmann also arriving at the club. Schmidt though will be pleased that Mainz have managed to hold on to Yunus Malli, Jairo Samperio and Yoshinori Muto after the trio attracted interest from a number of European clubs. Mainz have put up inconsistent displays in the pre-season, losing to Italian second division side Novara before thrashing Liverpool 4-0, and Schmidt will be hoping that his side will be able to strike an understanding quickly and hit the ground running as he aims for another top six finish this season.