Mainz 05 head into their 2020-21 Bundesliga match with Borussia Monchengladbach as the only remaining team in the league without a point after the opening four games.
Gladbach, meanwhile, were frustratingly held to a second successive home draw by Wolfsburg last weekend, and will be disappointed to find themselves in 11th place with only five points.
Match preview
There has been little to celebrate in recent times for Mainz fans, with a sixth consecutive defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen last weekend moving them to the foot of the table after Schalke 04 drew against Union Berlin.
Goalkeeper Robin Zentner will have been disappointed he could not keep out Lucas Alario's first-half header, with the ball marginally squirming over the line to condemn them to a 1-0 defeat.
Manager Achim Beierlorzer will have been hugely concerned that his side had over an hour to respond to going a goal down yet could not produce a single shot on target in the match.
They will require a much better performance to have any chance of picking up a first positive result of the league campaign against a Gladbach side who are competing at the highest level in the Champions League this season and capable of scintillating attacking football on their day.
Indeed, Gladbach's first match in Europe's elite competition for four seasons ended with an impressive 2-2 draw at San Siro against Serie A runners-up Inter Milan.
With Real Madrid losing at home to Shakhtar Donetsk in the other match in Group B, there is now a real opportunity for Gladbach to progress to the knockout stages for the first time since the competition was rebranded from the European Cup in 1992.
Recent Germany debutant Florian Neuhaus was in excellent form once again, earning the man of the match award for his dazzling display in midfield. The 23-year-old's superb vision and passing range was on full display when his drilled through-ball played in winger Jonas Hofmann, who duly nutmegged Samir Handanovic from close range to give his side the lead in the 84th minute.
Rose will be disappointed his side could not hold onto a famous win in the end, with a last minute Inter corner allowed to travel all the way across the box for Romelu Lukaku to tap in from close range for his second of the game.
While Die Fohlen fans will be savouring their side's European exploits, particularly if they progress into 2021, the club's attention must quickly turn back to the Bundesliga as they look to climb the league table. One man who can certainly help them do that is forward Marcus Thuram who, after being fouled by Arturo Vidal in midweek, has now directly earned his side three penalties in three matches.
Mainz 05 Bundesliga form: LLLL
Mainz 05 form (all competitions): WLLLL
Borussia Monchengladbach Bundesliga form: LDWD
Borussia Monchengladbach form (all competitions): WLDWDD
Team News
While Mainz may be seriously struggling in terms of results, Beierlorzer appears to be in the enviable position of having no known injuries or suspensions to deal with heading into the test against Gladbach.
The 52-year-old made four changes against Leverkusen from the side which was thrashed 4-0 by Union Berlin prior to the international break, so it will be interesting to see if he retains the bulk of the XI which was at least much more competitive, albeit without ever threatening the opposition goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Robin Quiason, who scored 13 league goals last campaign, was surprisingly dropped against Leverkusen and should return to the side to provide more attacking thrust.
Rose, meanwhile, must decide whether to rotate his Gladbach side to decrease the risk of fatigue and injury with games coming thick and fast both domestically and continentally. However, with his side desperate for three points, he may choose to go as strong as possible for the time being.
The 44-year-old will be without the services of Laszlo Benes (ankle), Jordan Beyer (coronavirus), Denis Zakaria (match fitness), Valentino Lazaro (torn muscle) and Andreas Poulsen (shoulder), which certainly reduces the opportunity for him to freshen things up.
Lars Stindl may return in place for Breel Embolo, though, in order to make the midfield more secure after the Switzerland forward failed to make too much of an impact despite receiving two successive starts.
Mainz 05 possible starting lineup:
Zentner; St. Juste, Kilian, Niakhate, Brosinski; Kunde, Latza; Oztunali, Boetius, Quaison; Mateta
Borussia Monchengladbach possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Lainer, Ginter, Elvedi, Bensebaini; Kramer, Neuhaus; Hofmann, Stindl, Thuram; Plea
We say: Mainz 05 1-3 Borussia Monchengladbach
Gladbach's open style has seen them concede in every match this season, so there is at least hope for Mainz that they can score, having blanked in their last two matches.
However, the likes of Thuram, Hofmann and Alassane Plea should have far too much for a Mainz side who look destined for a long, difficult campaign.
