FCB vow '100%' in bid to reclaim top spot

Finally! For the first time since the end of August, Carlo Ancelotti has been able to put his players through a full of week of training with no midweek games or internationals getting in the way. “It was important. We needed it in order to improve our system,” said the FCB head coach. Robert Lewandowski agrees: “Playing every three days, and the travelling… we’ve had a quieter week this week and we've been able to really train properly. Hopefully we’ll show on Friday that we’re back on track.”

At 20:30 CET on Friday (Live in English on our ticker and Web Radio), Bayern take on FSV Mainz 05 - and it goes without saying they have a win in their sights. “I expect the team to play with concentration, spirit and 100% effort,” Ancelotti commented on the day before the game. A win would lift his team back to the top of the league, at least for 24 hours as current leaders Leipzig do not play Schalke until Saturday evening.

Badstuber ill

“It’s a good opportunity,” said Ancelloti, who would like to be back at the top “as soon as possible. But the most important thing is to be there come the end of the season.” The Italian also knows that Mainz will make it as difficult as possible for Bayern. “It won’t be easy. Mainz play with high intensity, they’re well organised in defence and have very fast players. In recent years, Bayern have always had problems against Mainz.” The statistics speak volumes: Mainz have won their last three home games and are currently the most dangerous team in the league from set-pieces.

On the personnel front, there are two question marks ahead of the trip to Mainz. Xabi Alonso and Arturo Vidal are both doubts for the game. “I need to look at them in training today. They’ve had minor problems in the last few days,” explained Ancelotti. Along with injured pair Kingsley Coman and Julian Green, Holger Badstuber will also be absent due to illness. On the positive side, Ancelotti can call on Jerome Boateng again after a muscular injury. “We’ve trained very well this week,” declared Ancelotti. On Friday the important thing will be to show that on the pitch.

Latest news from Mainz:

Coach Martin Schmidt: “We need a top performance and that bit of luck, but you have to make your own luck.”

Unavailable: Christian Clemens (adductor), Emil Berggreen (torn ligament), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (suspension)

Doubtful: Yoshinori Muto (knee)