FSV Mainz 05 are concerned about the availability of attacking player Sota Kawasaki ahead of the away game at RB Leipzig. "Kawasaki had to finish training yesterday. A picture will be taken and then we can say more," said coach Urs Fischer ahead of the Bundesliga match on Saturday (3.30pm/Sky). The 59-year-old added that it was going in the muscular direction, but referred to the pending imaging.
Meanwhile, playmaker Nadiem Amiri is set to return to the starting eleven. The international still felt "a few aches and pains" the next day after his match-winning cameo the previous week, explained Fischer, emphasizing at the same time: "That's logical when you're injured and then go from zero to one hundred. But he was able to complete all training sessions throughout the week and is therefore a possibility for the squad."
Fischer: Aiming for three points
Despite being the underdogs, the 16th-placed team in the table wants to score points against the Champions League contenders. "There are three points to be won. That has to be the goal. That's the case in every game, no matter where you go. Otherwise you shouldn't get on the bus or plane," said Fischer. Mainz recently won two home games, but suffered a 2-1 defeat in Cologne in between. They have also failed to win any of their last seven away games in the league.
Aside from the sporting side of things, the Swiss admitted when looking ahead to the approaching carnival season: "It's not really my thing. Dressing up will be very difficult. But never say never. You can convince me too," said Fischer. "I know that people love carnival here in Mainz, and I think it's great, but it's not really my thing. What matters to me is that we have carnival on the pitch."
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