MAXIM LEITSCH NEWS

Bags late equalizer Leitsch scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-3 draw versus VfB Stuttgart.

Impact Leitsch took to the pitch after 46 minutes Saturday for Stefan Bell. He executed five clearances and blocked a shot, but his notable contribution was scoring the equalizing goal in the 94th minute to salvage a point for his team. Last season the defender was deployed occasionally from the bench and it looks like he will be used in that mode this season too. This was his first goal.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Available as substitute Leitsch (undisclosed) is in the Mainz squad to face Stuttgart on Saturday.

Impact Leitsch returns after leaving in the 31st minute of last week's season opener against Union Berlin. The defender moves to the bench with Stefan Bell taking his spot in Saturday's XI.

AUGUST 31 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves in first half Leitsch was forced off in the first half of Saturday's match against Union Berlin due to an injury.

Impact Leitsch left the match in the 31st minute, being replaced by Stefan Bell. The oft-injured Leitsch's status for next week's match against Stuttgart is now in question.

AUGUST 24 • ROTOWIRE

Appears in pre-season friendly Leitsch (thigh) was in the starting lineup for Friday's friendly match against Holstein Kiel.

Impact The defender missed the final game of the 2023/24 season with a thigh injury, but he is fully recovered now and was part of the starting lineup for the team's most recent friendly. He should be in a good place to be available for the season opener against Union Berlin on Aug. 24.

AUGUST 2 • ROTOWIRE

Still sidelined Leitsch (thigh) is out for Friday's match against Leverkusen.

Impact Leitsch continues on the sidelines for a further match, now missing his fifth straight contest due to a thigh issue. The defender will hope to end this absence soon, as he has now missed nine of the club's past 11 games due to different injuries. He will look to shake this off in the coming weeks, as his season has been heavily impacted by multiple injury spells throughout the campaign. Although, it hasn't affected the club too much, as he mainly serves in a rotational role.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with adductor injury Leitsch is not in the squad to face Augsburg on Saturday due to an adductor issue.

Impact Leitsch missies his fourth straight match as he hasn't started since November due to injury and lack of fitness.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Set for spell on sidelines Leitsch suffered a muscle injury during training this week that will leave him out for the next few weeks, the club announced Wednesday.

Impact Leistch is heading for another spell on the sidelines after already missing five games this season due to a knee injury, picking up a muscle injury during the international break that the club reported would leave him out for weeks. When the defender is healthy, he has been a regular starter, so his absence will affect the starting XI, especially seeing the team is already limited on defenders with multiple others being injured. Expect either a formation change or for Stefan Bell to start if he is healthy, or possibly even Josuha Guilavogui to play out of position in the defense if he is fit by the weekend.

NOVEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in training Leitsch (knee) took part in training during the international break, WAZ reports.

Impact Leitsch made it back on the training ground during the international break, completing a partial team session. The defender will have an uncertain role when he gets back with the senior team after coming off an MCL injury. Sepp van den Berg has seen big minutes with Leitsch absent while Stefan Bell has been surprisingly brought back into the first team as well.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not ready to return Leitsch (knee) won't be in the squad against Augsburg on Saturday after manager Bo Svensson told reporters, "Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Maxim Leitsch won't be available for us in Aug...

Impact Leitsch will be shelved for his third consecutive contest due to his MCL injury and probably should be considered out indefinitely at this point. In his lone appearance this season, the central defender recorded one tackle (won) and one clearance in 70 minutes of action. At this point, Leitsch may have to earn his place back in the starting XI given his extended layoff.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers MCL injury Leitsch (knee) has been diagnosed with an MCL injury that will rule him out versus Bremen on Saturday.

Impact Leitsch was making his first start of the season against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday before he was forced off in the 70th minute due to his knee problem. Without Leitsch in the squad, Stefan Bell should reclaim his place in the starting XI versus Bremen.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Forced off with knee injury Leitsch was forced off in the second half of Sunday's match against Frankfurt with a knee injury.

Impact Leitsch suffered the injury and left the match in the 70th minute after a duel. The defender was replaced by Andreas Hanche-Olsen who is a likely candidate to replace Leitsch pending the extent of injury.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mostly inactive Leitsch logged nine appearances (seven starts) during FSV Mainz 05's 2022-23 season.

Impact The 2022-23 Bundesliga's beginning seemed promising for Leitsch, who played all but nine minutes of FSV Mainz 05's first seven games. However, an undisclosed injury ruled him out until after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Even after then, Leitsch logged 41 minutes across two substitute appearances before sitting out nearly four months of action. With how little he was used, it is difficult to envision Leitsch having a meaningful role for FSV Mainz 05, especially after transferring from VfL Bochu less than one year ago.

JUNE 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to training Leitsch (personal) has returned to training during the Winter program, according to kicker.de.

Impact Leitsch took a step back from training due to mental and physical exhaustion in October and has returned to training. The top choice defensively when fit Leitsch will hope to make a full return to the starting XI when the Bundesliga returns on Jan. 21.

DECEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out indefinitely Leitsch will not be available for selection "until further notice" as he is "suffering from a state of physical and mental exhaustion," FSV Mainz announced Wednesday.

Impact Leitsch hasn't featured since the September international break as he was recovering from an infection, and that may have something to do with his current state of exhaustion. Mainz has six Bundesliga games in the upcoming weeks before the World Cup begins, and it is unclear at the moment whether Leitsch will be able to feature in them. Anthony Caci is likely to replace Leitsch in the back-three until he can return.

OCTOBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against Leipzig Leitsch is fit and in the match day squad to face Leipzig on Saturday.

Impact Leitsch returns after missing out on last week's match with a thigh injury. The defender had started all seven matches prior to the injury, but settles for a spot on the bench Saturday.

OCTOBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Trains in full Leitsch completed a full training session Thursday, according to manager Bo Svensson. "Marlon Mustapha remains unavailable for selection. Other than him, everyone was on the pitch...

Impact Leitsch missed the first match back from the international break with a thigh injury but has been able to return in full in the lead up to Saturday's clash with Leipzig. A return to full training is a good sign that Leitsch will be right back in the starting XI, as he has been when fit throughout the opening eight matches of the campaign.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out with undisclosed injury Leitsch is not in the match day squad to face Freibrug on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury.

Impact Leitsch misses out on the match after suffering an injury in the buildup to the match. The defender is replaced in the lineup by Anthony Caci.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Busy defensively Leitsch had three tackles (two won), three clearances, and four interceptions in Friday's 1-1 draw versus Hertha BSC Berlin.

Impact Leitsch has been the cornerstone of a mediocre Mainz defense throughout the first seven matches, going the full 90 in all but one. The defender does well to fill the stat sheet week in, week out, and is looking like a top center defensive option with a safe floor.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Season shortened by knee Leitsch made 19 appearances (17 starts), producing 18 tackles during the Bundesliga season.

Impact Leitsch looked set for a major role in the team before a knee injury cost him nearly half the season. The central defender was a crucial part of the starting XI when healthy and started nearly every match in the second half of the season. Leitsch will be moving to Mainz for the 2022/23 season, where he will likely force his way into the starting XI.

JUNE 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns as expected Leitsch (COVID-19) is back in team training and is fully available against Hoffenheim, according to manager Thomas Reis.

Impact Leitsch is back as expected after having a full two weeks to recover from COVID-19. The defender should be straight back in the starting XI. That said Leitsch doesn't have a lot of fantasy upside and isn't worth targeting in most formats.

MARCH 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Tests positive for COVID-19 Leitsch (COVID-19) tested positive for COVID-19 and will be out for Sunday's trip to Frankfurt, Bochum announced.

Impact Leitsch tested positive for COVID-19, and will be out for Sunday's trip to Frankfurt as a doomed season continues for the big center-back. He was unable to play for the first half of the season due to a knee injury and since returning from that, he has started every single match except for one. It appears Leitsch is set to miss even more time, with Kostas Stafylidis likely to return to the starting XI once more.

MARCH 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores goal during start Leitsch scored one goal across 90 minutes during a 2-1 win Saturday versus SpVgg Greuther Furth.

Impact Leitsch logged his first goal of the 2021-22 Bundesliga season. Despite having few goals across, he is receiving more scoring chances and starts. Leitsch has been a regular starter since Dec. 18.

MARCH 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes 12 clearances against Mainz Leitsch two blocks, an interception and 12 clearances in Saturday's 1-0 defeat away to Mainz.

Impact Leitsch started for only the fifth time this season and led his side in clearances. He's been out with knee problems for much of the season but has started the last three matches. His next match is against FC Koln on January 22.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could return Saturday Leitsch (knee) could return before the winter break, according to manager Thomas Reis.

Impact Leitsch could make his return as soon as Saturday as he continues to recover from a long-term knee injury. The defender will hope to make his return before the winter break. It's likely that even if he returns it will only be off the bench.

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Leitsch (knee) will remain out Sunday against Gladbach, according to manager Thomas Reis.

Impact Leitsch has yet to play this season, and it appears that won't be changing. The defender is left out with a knee injury that has plagued him all season and his return is undefined currently.

OCTOBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE