Bo Henriksen lauds Mainz’ Nelson Weiper after successful comeback: “Outstanding!” | OneFootball

Not long after Mainz 05 sporting director Nico Bungert expressly stated support for young striker Nelson Weiper, Mainz head-coach Bo Henriksen handed the 19-year-old his first start of the current Bundesliga campaign. With regular lead striker Jonathan Burkardt still out, Weiper was preferred to Armindo Sieb in Saturday’s round 19 league fixture against Stuttgart.

Weiper – after a long spell on the sidelines – almost immediately repaid Henriksen and Bungert’s trust with his first league goal since April 2023. Weiper’s 1-0 helped Mainz establish the tone against their favoured guests. Henriksen’s Rheinhessen would go on to earn a 2-0 victory over Stuttgart.

Peter Herbert Eisenhuth of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung asked Henriksen about the decision to start Weiper at the post-match presser. Eisenhuth specifically wished to know if it was a difficult decision to start Weiper over Sieb.

“Both of them are very good,” Henriksen answered. “With Weiper, it’s a wonderful story. It’s been tough [for him]. He’s been injured seven months. It’s always hard to come back and find the right timing. It’s obviously been a tough spell for him.

“We talked about it yesterday,” Henriksen continued when speaking on his one-on-one with the player. “I told him that he would get a chance and that it was time for him to show what he’s capable of.”

“[I told him] it was time to showcase his potential. He has enormous potential. I also told him that it was okay if he made mistakes. I just need to see power and energy.”

“He did everything outstandingly,” Henriksen concluded. “It was a great day not only for Weiper, but also for everyone else. The whole locker room witnessed his comeback from injury. What a relief. That was outstanding.“

GGFN | Peter Weis