Ahead of Mainz's match at home to Bayer Leverkusen, defender Dominik Kerr discusses the break between international duty, the packed fixture list, a special milestone in his career, and the joy of becoming a father.  

The player reflects on a period of events and excitement. Despite the international break, life has been anything but dull for the 31-year-old lately. Just hours after the team's away game against Hamburg, he welcomed his second child.  

Dominik Kerr recalled: "We were returning from Hamburg. While waiting for the airport, I spoke to my wife and suddenly learned that she was in labor. We then flew back to Mannheim and I immediately took a taxi to the hospital. Fortunately, I arrived in time, and our son was born safely that evening. It was a very special experience that you don't often get to experience. Our daughter was also very happy. During the break with the national team, we also used the time to spend with our family."  

In terms of his career, the Hamburg night holds special significance for Dominik Kohl. He said: "In the match against Hamburg, I received the 100th yellow card of my Bundesliga career. This is in line with my playing style. I have indeed received quite a few yellow cards. I have played over 300 Bundesliga games so far, and on average I receive a warning every three games. The football environment is constantly changing. Referees are issuing cards more quickly now, so we have to be smarter, but I will not change the way I play."  

“The international break is a precious time for us to relax and reconnect with other aspects of our lives. I think it’s very important for us to reflect on our performance so far this season and identify areas for improvement. Everyone was very motivated in training and eager to turn things around. My teammates back from the national team also felt that we were giving our all, and we will carry this positive atmosphere into the weekend match.”  

Dominic Kerr believes that training is fundamental to winning games and achieving good results, but finding the right balance is equally crucial in the face of the upcoming, intensive schedule. He stated, "With the addition of European conference leagues, the intensity of the schedule will increase significantly. After the midweek games, we will also face opponents with strong physical fitness, which is a challenge that cannot be underestimated. We have a crucial game coming up, and we need to get into good shape through successful experience, which is crucial for our continued success."  

The upcoming packed schedule will be a tremendous test for the players both physically and mentally, but Dominic Cole believes it also presents opportunities. He said, "As football players, we always crave playing. Seven games in a short period of time, five of which are at home, is something we're really looking forward to. We'll be fully prepared to win and celebrate with the fans; that's the most wonderful moment in football."  

Finally, Dominic Kerr said this match could serve as a model for the weekend's matches. He said: "We need to show the same performance this weekend to get the result we want. After the difficult last few weeks, we also hope to give the fans a successful experience."  

“It will be a difficult match, as Leverkusen are a strong side. I expect them to dominate possession, but that’s to our advantage. We need to increase our intensity, be more aggressive in the final whistle and make the most of every opportunity. Our fans are always there for us, even when the results aren’t going well. We hope they’ll be there for us from start to finish, and we’ll give our all to motivate them and help us get points this weekend.”