Nebel: "When you fall, it's okay"

Last season was rather special for you, with 14 Bundesliga goal involvements and an U21 European championships final. How did it feel to you?

Paul Nebel: “Yes, it was an outstanding season. Honestly, I would not have expected it to go that well before the season. Of course, you always wish for that, but it went even better than I had imagined. With Mainz, and then with the U21s, things went very well, even though we didn’t win in the end."

We were reluctant to mention it, but seeing as you have: how often do you think about hitting the crossbar in stoppage time in the U21 final with the score 2-2?

Nebel: "Quite often, actually. I have watched it a few times since the match, including the highlight videos. It would, of course, have been the crowning moment - scoring twice myself and then becoming a European Champion. That would have been incredible. But I think in life, and especially in football, small things can make a big difference. In that situation, the ball was deflected and didn’t go in. That’s just how life is sometimes. You have to keep going and take the positives with you. That’s what I tried to do. We had an unbelievably great time. We finished second; first would obviously have been nicer, but it was still a successful tournament."

That's a mature way of looking at things for a young player - how did you develop that mindset?

Nebel: “I think it developed over time, through experiences in my career and life. You face setbacks again and again. For example, when I was younger, I had trials with Eintracht Frankfurt and Kickers Offenbach, and I wasn’t accepted. Those are the kinds of things that shape you. You have to keep your ambition, keep trying and keep working on your weaknesses. That helped me along my path. When you fall, it’s okay. It’s frustrating in the moment, but it’s okay. You can work on yourself, do better, and try to take the next steps.”

Can that attitude help you now that Mainz have had a difficult start to the Bundesliga season?

Nebel: "Yes, it’s exactly one of those situations. Sometimes everything just flows and sometimes it doesn’t. This season it has been more difficult. We also have the added challenge of European competition, which is something new for us. Maybe we need time to adjust to that. Now we have to take the next step, fight our way out and I think Mainz has proven many times that we don’t give up and that we fight and stick together in difficult times. That’s exactly what we are doing now. We’re keeping our heads clear and not letting the media or anything else put pressure on us. We are working hard and trying to improve from week to week to collect points.”

Mainz have shown plenty of spirit in the UEFA Conference League - qualifying and winning their opening league stage match. Can that be brought into the Bundesliga?

Nebel: "I think this season our best games were the home match against Rosenborg, which we won 4–1, and the game in Augsburg [also a 4-1 win]. In those games, we showed exactly what made us strong last season. We just haven’t managed to bring that consistency this year. Sometimes it comes down to small things - like against Hamburg, we had too much space between our lines, so we weren’t getting into duels, which is actually one of our biggest strengths. That’s how we build our confidence and get into our rhythm with the ball. We just need to bring that compactness and intensity back regularly on the pitch."

Scoring goals from open play has been an issue too - how can that be improved?

Nebel: "One thing is to make sure that since we lost Johnny Burkardt, who scored lots of goals last season, we spread the goals around. Benedict Hollerbach has come in, but sometimes it just takes a bit of time for new players to settle, especially after an injury. Players need to get into rhythm, understand how the team plays, and we also need to understand how they like to receive the ball. It’s all coming together now. We’re optimistic it will start clicking soon. We also have Nelson Weiper, who is also a very good finisher in the box. We just need to get the wins under our belts - both as the team and individuals. Then I’m sure we’ll all start scoring more goals.”

Watch: All of Burkardt's 2024/25 Bundesliga goals for Mainz

Your coach, Bo Henriksen, looks from afar to have remained positive throughout it all. Is that how it feels in the dressing room?

Nebel: “Yes, absolutely. He clearly addresses what’s not going well, but he also stays calm. As a coach, you have to radiate composure, and he does that. But internally, he’s very honest. He tells us the facts, the stats, and what needs to improve. We watch the games together, analyse the videos and work on them. The best way to work is through honesty, and our coach embodies that perfectly. He’s completely straightforward with us players. We all know exactly what to work on, and where to improve upon. Hopefully, we will soon see the results of that work on the pitch.”

You almost won a European title with Germany at U21 level, and have received a call-up to the full national squad, but you're still eligible to represent Ireland. Could you still switch to the Boys in Green?

Nebel: "That question has come up often, and there has been contact before. When the Germany call-up came, it was clear for me. That’s what I always dreamed of as a kid - to play for Germany. I spoke about it with my family as I always wanted to play for the German national team, and it was a huge honour. So for me, it was absolutely clear that I wanted to be part of it. If I had already played for Germany, that would have sealed it anyway. My goal is clear - perform well for my club and earn another Germany call-up.”

You didn't make the Germany squad in the October international break. Did you speak to Julian Nagelsmann about that, and do you hope to get back into it in time for the World Cup? 

Nebel: "Yes, he told me that I wouldn’t be included this time and explained his reasons and what I could work on. That’s how it is sometimes. My club team hasn’t been in great form lately, and my personal stats aren’t as strong as last season so far. So I’ll keep working to earn my place again. Of course, it would be a dream to play at a World Cup, and that’s absolutely my goal. That’s why I want to get Mainz back on track.”