Mark Uth: I practise free kicks at least twice a week

“I practise free kicks at least twice a week,” says the left footer. Putting the work in paid off in Mainz. It was interesting that Uth spent a long time looking at the ball and didn’t really look at the goal before taking the free kick. “When I spend longer looking at the ball, I feel better taking the shot,” says the goalscorer.

Eight goals in eleven games against Mainz

It was Uth’s eighth goal in eleven games against his favourite opponent, 1. FSV Mainz 05. The 29-year-old hasn’t scored more against any other side.

Just a couple of minutes before his spectacular equaliser, Uth could’ve made it 1-1 with a different chance. After nice play from Goncalo Paciencia, he got the ball in the penalty box but couldn’t get it under control. “I should’ve scored another goal there,” he says. “We played really well in the first half and created a lot of chances.” That’s why it was particularly frustrating to be trailing at the break; it wasn’t the scoreline that the performance deserved.

Uth is also not pleased with the final result. “We are really disappointed that we couldn’t bring the three points home with us,” he says. He saw the team’s best performance of the season in the OPEL Arena, yet it went unrewarded. “We need to build on small steps in a situation like ours. But it’s clear that we need to make a big step too at some point. We’ll work hard in the international break so we can taste victory again soon,” says Uth.