Danny da Costa
M05
Center Back
Driving Center Back
Jul 13, 1993 (33)
Right
6'2"
192 lb
Flurry of service
da Costa recorded one shot (zero on goal) and nine crosses (two accurate) in Saturday's 3-2 loss against Werder Bremen.
Analysis: Most of da Costa's service action can be attributed to Mainz's late push for an equalizer, so it's hard to fault him too much for his inaccuracies. If he gets the same volume and improves his efficiency, he can potentially take advantage of an Elversberg team that has allowed 15 goals through seven matches.
Nets eventual game winner
da Costa scored a goal with his lone shot while crossing twice (one accurate) and creating two chances during Saturday's 4-3 win over Mainz.
Analysis: da Costa entered the match in the 65th minute and scored the game winning goal in the 89th while tying for the team-high in chances created. The goal was the first goal involvement this season as da Costa hasn't made a start since the opening match of the campaign at the end of August.
Come up unlucky
da Costa recorded five shots (zero on goal), seven crosses (four accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against SC Paderborn.
Analysis: Da Costa failed to get a shot on target Saturday, registering five off-target attempts while sending seven crosses (four accurate) and making three tackles in a busy outing. He is entering his fifth season with Mainz and has been a consistent starter over the past few years. He finished the 2025/26 campaign with two goals and three assists in 34 appearances, averaging 4.6 clearances per match while recording 43 tackles.
Option off bench
da Costa (head) is on the bench for Saturday's season finale against Heidenheim.
Analysis: da Costa returned to full contact training Friday after being restricted to non-contact sessions throughout the week following the head injury that forced him off after just 15 minutes of last Sunday's clash against Union Berlin. Coach Urs Fischer had offered a cautiously optimistic assessment, noting nothing serious had emerged, and the coaching and medical staff cleared him for a place in the squad after consulting ahead of the final fixture. The club opted to manage his return carefully with a bench role rather than throwing him straight back into the starting lineup given the nature of the injury.
Late call against Heidenheim
da Costa (head) was forced off after just 15 minutes of last Sunday's clash against Union Berlin following an unfortunate head injury sustained in a duel, and his availability for Saturday's fixture against Heidenheim remains uncertain, according to coach Urs Fischer.
Analysis: da Costa has been restricted to non-contact training throughout the week but is expected to return to full collective sessions Friday. Manager Urs Fischer offered a cautiously optimistic assessment, noting that nothing serious had emerged and that the player was doing well given the circumstances. A final decision on his availability will be made in consultation between the coaching and medical staff once contact training is cleared, leaving his involvement for Saturday to be determined in the coming hours.
Off early with head injury
da Costa was forced off in the first half of Sunday's match against Union Berlin due to a head injury.
Analysis: da Costa left the match in the 16th minute after suffering the head injury after an early challenge. The defender was repalced by Kacper Potulski who would likely enter the starting XI for next week's season finale at Heidenheim if da Costa is out.
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