Martinez keen to improve Leverkusen's away record
Carles Martinez is eyeing a first Bundesliga away win of the season for Bayer Leverkusen when it travels to Mainz this weekend.
Leverkusen lost its league opener 3-2 away to newly-promoted Elversberg but has gone unbeaten since then, with two wins and a draw.
That stalemate also came on the road against Augsburg, with both of its wins and clean sheets coming at BayArena.
Despite sitting fifth in the early standings, Martinez knows it is important to get a first road win on the board sooner rather than later.
"Mainz are a good team; we're a good team," he said.
"We're determined to improve our away record and come away with three points.
"[The Mainz] match is an important one. I want to see my team put in the same performance they did against RB Leipzig [a 2-0 home win]."
Martinez has a few injury worries to contend with after the extended international window, with Ibrahim Maza, Kennet Eichhorn and Guela Doue all set to miss the Mainz game.
"He's [Maza] better. We have to check in training and then decide whether he's ready," Martinez said of Maza before addressing the other injury concerns.
"Guela is working on his comeback; it's still taking some time. However, the process is going well, as planned.
"We're in touch with Kennet; we speak regularly, including about football in general. Despite his absence, he wants to feel part of the team, and that's what we're aiming for as well."
Mainz is level on points with Leverkusen, only behind on goal difference.
Unlike Martinez's side, Mainz has had a lot of joy on the road in 2026-2027, but is yet to win at home, after a draw with Paderborn and a 3-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt.
