Bayern taking Barcelona momentum in search for top spot against Mainz

Bayern are within touching distance of the Bundesliga summit, and a result at home to Mainz on Saturday (kick-off at 15:30 CEST, coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our live text and free web radio) would send the champions top at least overnight. Here’s all you need to know on the game.  

Check out the best photos from final training on Friday:

Situation for Bayern

Bayern have been doing their job very well of late, chalking up five straight wins across competitions after Wednesday’s 3-0 victory at Barcelona. And the only time the Munich club have failed to win in their eight fixtures since the September international break was the 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund. The aggregate score over that run is an impressive 30-6. “I’ve got a very good feeling from the team. We’re in a good flow,” said head coach Julian Nagelsmann at his press conference on Friday.

It’s also seen the defending champions move to within a point of current Bundesliga leaders Union Berlin. But to overtake them, FCB will need the capital club to slip up. “The state of the table alone motivates us. And also that we had two bad games against Mainz last year,” Nagelsmann added. Bayern have lost two of their last three encounters with the Zerofivers. There shouldn’t be any more added to that total on Saturday.

Watch Nagelsmann’s press conference in full:

Opponents Mainz

Mainz come to Munich full of confidence. Sitting sixth with 18 points after 11 games, they’re enjoying their best campaign for 12 years and have won their last three competitive fixtures without conceding a single goal. They are also the Bundesliga’s best team on the road this season with 12 points. The Zerofivers now want to prove their good form up against the 10-time defending champions. “We’ll be tested now,” said coach Bo Svensson at his pre-match press conference on Thursday. “We know that the game in Munich is the toughest of all 34 league fixtures in a season. But we want to perform and give everything.“

Read up on the stats and facts going into the game:

Fitness update

As was the case in the last few games, Bayern remain without Manuel Neuer (shoulder), Leroy Sane (hamstring), Bouna Sarr (knee) and Lucas Hernandez (torn muscle). Nagelsmann hopes that the latter will be able to start training fully again on Monday, but Thomas Müller is out once more. “He’s got some irritation in his hip, in his pelvic area. He won’t be able to play,” the coach said, while also adding that he wants to give the 33-year-old some rest in the coming days.

Mainz remain without Maxim Leitsch and Marlon Mustapha for their trip to Munich. Danny da Costa will likely also miss out with flu.

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: “I’m very impressed by the team. We’re in a good flow, have a good togetherness. I’m sure we’ll have a good mood and mentality on the pitch. The state of the table alone motivates us. And also that we had two bad games against Mainz last year. I hope we’ll go into the game like we did against Barcelona.”

Bo Svensson (Mainz head coach): “We’ll now see if we can keep up with Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala or Dayot Upamecano – also as a team. We’ll try but it’s extremely tough – we know that. But if you don’t get excited about this game, you’re in the wrong place. We want to approach the game with our qualities. The excitement is 100% there. I can feel it among the players.”