Merlin Polzin led his new-look Hamburg side out for their first home league fixture at the Volksparkstadion on Sunday afternoon, hosting a Mainz team with a familiar feel to them.
As Nicolai Remberg and Nadiem Amiri led their teams onto the pitch, Hamburg's Nordtribüne paid a touching tribute to the late Kevin Keegan with a wonderful choreo before kick-off. The Englishman, revered in the Hanseatic City after his exploits in the late 70s, sadly passed away in July.
Hamburg suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Borussia Dortmund on the opening day, and Polzin saw fit to make four changes to the starting XI that turned out in the Ruhrgebiet. A busy deadline day saw three new arrivals at the Volksparkstadion, with David Møller Wolfe and Zakaria El Ouahdi thrown straight in for their debuts; Fabio Vieira, meanwhile, began on the bench.
The visitors made two changes themselves to their starting XI that drew 0-0 at home to newly promoted Paderborn last weekend, with Kacper Potulski and Stefan Posch replacing Dominik Kohr and Danny Da Costa in defence.
Urs Fischer's side made the stronger start to the game, with a mistake from Jordan Torunarigha allowing Sheraldo Becker to force a good save from Daniel Heuer Fernandes within the first ten minutes. Moments later, Mainz worked a good opportunity from a corner for Amiri to strike at goal, though the German international sliced his effort wide.

#hamburg #amiri #home #away

Hamburger SV's lacklustre start to the new Bundesliga season continued this afternoon on home soil. In the Hanseatic sun, an FSV Mainz 05 side inspired by the brilliance of Sheraldo Becker and Phillip Tietz ran out comfortable winners on a 5-0 scoreline.
Similar to their opening day struggles in Dortmund, the hosts seemed to struggle as Mainz piled on the pressure. Sheraldo Becker stung the palms of Daniel Heuer Fernandes, before Nadiem Amiri fired wide on the end of a neat set-piece routine inside 15 minutes.
The warning signs were clear and HSV took no heed of it as an atmospheric Volksparkstadion fell momentarily silent. A misplaced pass from skipper Nicolai Remberg was picked off by Kaishu Sano. From there, he played in Becker who dispatched from a one-on-one scenario.
Aside from the occasional threat of Albert Grønbaek, HSV failed to even test debutante Alexander Schwolow before the break. Mainz swiftly led 2-0 when Nadiem Amiri pulled the strings in midfield for Becker to find **** e and deliver a routine tap-in for Philipp Mwene.
Half-time whistles from supporters forced Merlin Polzin's hand at the break. Torunarigha, Nadir and Adeline departed for Shafiq Nandja, Patson Daka and Fábio Vieira. The latter receiving a massive cheer since returning on a permanent basis from **** nal.

#nadiem #break #hamburger #bundesliga

Less than 24 hours after the sensational failure of the Fisnik Asllani transfer, Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig had more bad news to report. **** an Ouédraogo has suffered yet another injury setback and now risks missing the beginning of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Leipzig confirmed on Saturday that the 20-year-old sustained a capsule injury in his right shoulder during the club's summer training camp in Saalfelden, Austria.
There is at least some positive news. Following detailed examinations, RB have elected to treat the injury conservatively and Ouédraogo will not require surgery. The German international is nevertheless expected to remain sidelined for "a few weeks". The timeframe still places his availability for the beginning of new head coach Martin Demichelis' first competitive campaign in doubt.
Leipzig travel to Eintracht Trier in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 22 before opening their Bundesliga season against Borussia Mönchengladbach one week later. For Ouédraogo, the latest setback represents another frustrating interruption to a career that has repeatedly gathered spectacular momentum only for injuries to intervene.
The former Schalke academy talent endured an injury-plagued first season after joining Leipzig in 2024, missing substantial time with knee and complicated thigh problems. Even his place in Leipzig's plans appeared uncertain entering last season. Ouédraogo nevertheless quickly changed the conversation. After establishing himself under then-head coach Ole Werner, the midfielder earned his first Germany U21 call-up in October. Get German Football News documented Ouédraogo's rapid progression from an uncertain Leipzig squad role to German youth international.
The Mülheim native subsequently forced his way into Werner's starting XI and developed into one of Leipzig's most exciting players. His performances eventually earned him an unexpected promotion to Julian Nagelsmann's senior German national team. Following an injury to Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri, Ouédraogo received his first senior Germany call-up in November.

#injury #first #season #following

Mainz 05, in something of a reversal of the operating plan earlier this summer, are working to bring Austrian international Stefan Posch back to the Bundesliga on a permanent basis. Sky Germany reports that the Rheinhessen club have opened negotiations with Serie A side Como 1907 following the conclusion of Posch's successful six-month loan. Mainz are reportedly prepared to stretch their financial limits to secure the 29-year-old defender.
Mainz were recently buoyed by the fact that Nadiem Amiri opted to remain with the club through the entirety of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Signing Posch would constitute another major coup. Thanks to the fact that the club's front office has been largely frugal on the summer transfer market, the Palatinate club is currently operating with an estimated €5.2m transfer surplus.
Mainz first explored a move for Posch during the winter transfer window after he struggled for regular playing time in Italy. The final transaction ultimately required cooperation between three clubs. Como activated an obligation to purchase Posch from Bologna for approximately €5.5m before immediately loaning the defender to Mainz for the remainder of the campaign.
Mainz did not secure a purchase option. The Bundesliga club reportedly paid a loan fee of approximately €200,000, leaving M05 sporting CEO Christian Heidel and his colleagues needing to negotiate an entirely new agreement this summer.
Posch nevertheless made an immediate impact. He started against Wolfsburg only two days after his arrival and delivered a composed performance in a crucial victory, as noted in Get German Football News' Mainz January transfer check.

#posch #bundesliga #transfer

In Mainz, he has found his top form again, has become the team's absolute backbone, and was even rewarded for his performances with a nomination for the recent World Cup.
So it's no surprise that transfer rumors surrounding Nadiem Amiri surfaced faster than you can say "05."
Now there is clarity about the attacker's future: on Saturday evening, Amiri announced that he will stay at Mainz 05.
During the fan evening in Kirchbichl, where Mainz are currently holding their training camp, he declared: "A lot has been written in recent weeks and days. There were many rumors, and I also had a lot of offers. But together with my family, I decided to stay here." This was reported, among others, by 'Kicker'.
For his decision, he was rewarded with loud applause from the fans in attendance.

#World

Nadiem Amiri has now ended speculation surrounding his future by confirming that he will remain with Mainz 05 for the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. The 29-year-old recently picked up some media attention, not to mention some flak from club supporters, for refusing to commit to fully commit to the Rheinhessen ahead of the forthcoming Bundesliga season.
The 29-year-old German international made the announcement on Saturday evening during a meeting with supporters at Mainz's Austrian training camp in Kirchbichl. Amiri laid to rest all reports that he was considering a move to RB Leipzig.
"I did have a lot of offers, but my family and I decided that I would definitely stay here," Amiri said to thunderous applause from the ******* embled Mainz supporters.
Amiri remains under contract with Mainz through the summer of 2028. The midfielder has developed into one of the club's most important players and established himself as a senior German international since arriving from Leverkusen in January 2024.
His decision represents a significant boost for head coach Urs Fischer ahead of the new season. Mainz will retain a central creative figure, experienced leader and one of the most productive midfielders in the squad.

#amiri #bundesliga #international

Mainz 05 and German national team midfielder Nadiem Amiri has declined to guarantee that he will remain with the club beyond the summer transfer window, insisting that he does not wish to make a promise he may later be unable to keep. The 29-year-old addressed his future during Mainz's training camp in Hopfgarten, Austria, amid continued speculation surrounding a potential move to RB Leipzig.
Asked whether he would play for Mainz during the 2026/27 campaign, Amiri directly dismissed the links in a rather glib and formulaic fashion. As quoted by Kicker, however, Amiri effectively admitted that he would be moving on once the right opportunity arises.
"Right now, Mainz 05 is the only thing on my mind and everything else is unimportant," Amiri said. "Things can always change. That's why I didn't commit to Mainz at the end of last season either. I don't want to disappoint the fans. I'm not the type to say, 'I'm staying here' and then be gone three weeks later."
Recent reports suggested that Amiri remained keen on joining RB Leipzig and had reached a basic agreement with the Saxon club. Kicker now reports that Leipzig have not submitted an offer, while Amiri himself sought to play down the speculation entirely.
"They're not even an issue," the former Leverkusen midfielder said. "Someone had an idea, but neither Mainz, Leipzig, nor I have said anything about it. Why should we even address it now?"

#right

Nadiem Amiri stepped up to convert in the penalty shootout for Germany, but it wasn't enough as Julian Nagelsmann’s side suffered a painful defeat to Paraguay in Monday’s round of 32 clash at the World Cup.
Speaking after the game, the midfielder was naturally disappointed.
“We are very disappointed and shocked because we did not expect to be eliminated so early," Amiri said.
"It was an unfortunate game. Of course, our aim was very clearly to go through.
"But that’s football – anyone can beat anyone. Congratulations to Paraguay.”

Having already secured top spot in Group E with victories over Curacao (7-1) and Cote d'Ivoire (2-1), Germany will wrap up the group stage against Ecuador at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Thursday (22:00 CEST).
Ecuador, meanwhile, need a victory to secure a place in the round of 32 after losing to Cote d'Ivoire being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Curacao. Despite registering 27 shots, Sebastián Beccacece's side failed to score and now face a must-win encounter.
Although Germany's place in the knockout stages is already guaranteed, midfielder Nadiem Amiri insists there will be no easing off.
"We need to keep this momentum going. Winning breeds confidence. We owe it to the other sides to approach the game as though our own tournament depends on it. It’s still a very important match," Amiri said, adding that he doesn't expect Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to experiment too much.
“Lots of Germany fans will be in the stadium, with many more watching back home. We want to win and we’ll give it everything. I can’t see Julian experimenting too much. We’ll approach it like a final.”

It was heartbreak in stoppage time as Côte d'Ivoire were defeated 2-1 by Germany at Toronto's BMO Field. The Inter striker was part of coach Emerse Faé's starting XI before being replaced by Evann Guessand.
Deniz Undav's brace decided a tightly contested match, which saw both sides creating plenty of chances. The Ivorians took the lead in the 30th minute thanks to Franck Kessié's close-range finish, but the game changed once the striker from Stuttgart came on at the hour mark. Undav equalised in the 68th minute with a volley from a spectacular cross from Nadiem Amiri, before securing victory for Germany in the 94th minute. Set up by Felix Nmecha, Undav controlled the ball inside the box, turned, and beat Yahia Fofana.
Germany now have six points and sit at the top of Group E, while Côte d'Ivoire are in second on three points ahead of Ecuador.
The Netherlands recorded a huge victory, dominating Sweden and running riot in a 5-1 with thanks to braces from Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo, with Crysencio Summerville sealing the game with a goal. Denzel Dumfries was the standout performer, providing two ***** ists. Both came from low crosses after breaking forward on the right flank, with his teammates adding the final touch. His first ***** ist came in the 17th minute as he set up Brobbey for the Netherland's second goal when the striker got in front at the near post. Dumfries' second ***** ist was for Gakpo to make it 3-0 just two minutes after the break.
The result pushes Netherlands onto four points and the top of Group F. Sweden remain on three points with ***** an ahead of them. The Oranje will look to secure first place when they face Tunisia in the early hours of Friday 26 June at 1:00 CEST.

At 1-0 down against Côte d'Ivoire in Saturday's World Cup match in Toronto, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann reacted by making a triple substitution after an hour.
Two of the substitutes later combined for Germany's equaliser, as Nadiem Amiri set up Deniz Undav before the latter decided the game in Germany's favour, making it 2-1 with his second goal late on.
Speaking to Magenta TV, Joshua Kimmich hailed the impact of the players who came on in the second half.
“We already knew before the tournament that our bench would be very, very important and decisive. That was the case today," Kimmich said.
"All the substitutions were outstanding today. Especially Deniz [Undav], who always believes in his moments. Nadiem [Amiri] brings his mentality, which was very helpful. Toni [Rüdiger] had an outstanding game when he came on. Jamie [Leweling] also came on very well, and the same goes for Leon [Goretzka] at the end. The triple substitution (after around 60 minutes) helped us a lot.”