Leonard Maloney is a tenacious and highly motivated player who has secured a regular starting position at Mainz thanks to his recent outstanding performances. The player, who joined last winter, spoke about the team's current form, his personal leadership role, and Friday's home game against Hoffenheim.  

This player's appearances for Mainz last season included 65 minutes for the U23 team in the Southwest Regional League and 23 minutes in the Bundesliga. His performance has improved significantly this season. He joined Mainz from Heidenheim in January. Leonard Maloney is a hard-working player, having accumulated 467 minutes of playing time this season across the Bundesliga, German Football League, and German Cup.  

His outstanding performances at center-back and defensive midfield have caught the attention of head coach Bo Henriksson. Leonard Maloney said, "I believe I can use my strengths to help the team, and I'm happy to take on the 'dirty work' on the field. I'm here to do my job and leave the best moments for my teammates."  

"I always try to lead by example. Of course, there are times when I do encounter difficulties and feel down, which is normal and part of the growth of a professional player. That's why we need to be fully prepared for crucial moments. But overall, I still feel very good."  

Besides the physical toll, the psychological factors also played a significant role during the continuous matches in England this season. Leonard Maloney said: "It has indeed been a very difficult period, sometimes even more difficult than the players themselves are willing to admit. The physical burden is not too great because we have a professional fitness coach to take good care of us. The real challenge is to always keep a clear head and be ready in key moments. It is not easy, but that's precisely what makes the games so exciting."  

"In fact, I've been used to giving orders loudly on the court since I was a child. This not only disrupts the opponent's rhythm but also helps me and my teammates find the right positions when defending, thus increasing our sense of security. In the current situation, it's essential to speak up when things aren't going well. This isn't to blame my teammates, but to motivate them to perform at their best."  

"We need to sprint all out in the final stage, and everyone must do their job. Even the smallest details must be done well, whether it's set pieces, organizing attacks, or anything else. Every player should follow the coach's tactical arrangements, play to their strengths, and give it their all to achieve the desired results."