‘The goal is close’ - Bayern with first chance to secure title against Mainz

Bayern’s penultimate home game of the Bundesliga season also brings with it the potential chance to wrap up the title race as Mainz visit the Allianz Arena on Saturday (kick-off at 3.30pm CEST, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Trophies aside, Bayern have a score to settle with the 05ers. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

Check out the best photos from final training on Friday:

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Although Bayern can’t be crowned champions this weekend just based on their own result, they want to do all they can to be in a position to secure the title at the first attempt, if the opportunity arises. “The goal is close. We want to wrap it up as quickly as possible,” said Serge Gnabry. Holding an eight-point advantage over Bayer Leverkusen with four games to go, Bayern would need to beat Mainz and hope that Leverkusen slip up at home to Augsburg at the same time. It means the team are going into Saturday’s fixture focused on doing their job in hopefully claiming the club’s 34th championship.

“It’s only about the Mainz game and what happens in those 90 minutes. I’m not bothered about any other scenarios,” stressed Vincent Kompany at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “It’s my job to make sure the players know what’s needed to be tactically and mentally ready.” The prospect of the title aside, that task has perhaps been made a bit easier going into this game. “We lost the reverse fixture in Mainz. Knowing my team as I do, the motivation will therefore be high,” the Belgian stated. Bayern’s first league defeat of the season came in Mainz back in December (2-1). Revenge at the Allianz Arena could see the Meisterschale return to Munich after a year away.

Read more from Kompany and Max Eberl at Friday’s press conference:

Opponent: Mainz

Mainz have been flying high this season, although recent results have halted their momentum somewhat. The team looked like having a realistic chance of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history but have managed to earn only three points in the last five games. However, that hasn’t caused any unrest among the 05ers. “We’ve still got a good feeling and very good mood within the team despite recent weeks. When I see them train, you can barely believe that this team hasn’t won in five games,” said head coach Bo Henriksen.

The Dane took over the club around 14 months ago with the team in 17th place and has now turned them into genuine European hopefuls. “It’s fantastic that we’re in a European spot,” he said, with the team beginning the weekend in sixth place. “And we want to keep pushing even with tough games to come.” Saturday’s match will be Henriksen’s second with Mainz at the Allianz Arena. The first ended in an 8-1 thrashing back in March 2024 and was the 05ers’ seventh straight loss in Munich, but their coach remains optimistic that his team can get something. “I know it’s tough to win in Munich, but there’s a chance,” the enigmatic Dane added.

Read up on the stats ahead of the match:

Team news

Alphonso Davies (cruciate ligament), Dayot Upamecano (knee), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal) and Jamal Musiala (hamstring) all remain sidelined. Kompany also revealed that there are doubts over Thomas Müller and Raphael Guerreiro. Manuel Neuer was able to train with the team for the first time again on Friday but is unlikely to be an option this weekend after his calf injury.

Mainz come to Munich without Maxim Leitsch due to a hip issue, while fellow centre-back Moritz Jenz is also a doubt according to Henriksen. Stefan Bell is available again, however.

Bayern could win the title this Saturday:

What the coaches say