'Winner goes through' - Bayern's clear mentality for knockout game in Mainz

Bayern have their first knockout game of the year on Wednesday evening as they go to Mainz in the DFB Cup round of 16 (kick-off at 20:45 CET with coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our live text and free web radio). Here's all you need to know about the game in our preview.

Check out the photos of Bayern's final training session before leaving for Mainz:

State of play for Bayern

"I'm glad it can't be a draw on Wednesday," said Julian Nagelsmann on Saturday evening after the 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt, expressing Bayern's mood after the start of the year. In all three Bundesliga games since the winter break, the Munich team have shared the points - not exactly the start they had imagined. Oliver Kahn sees the "all-or-nothing game" in Mainz as a great opportunity: "It's exactly what the team needs now. The knockout game comes at just the right time. We really have to step on the gas now," recognised the CEO.

Head coach Nagelsmann knows how the team will manage to turn things around: "I've recognised things we can do better so we play more successfully again. It's always important to go into the game with 100% desire," explained the FCB head coach in his  pre-match press conference on Tuesday. The goal for this last-16 tie is clear: "It's a knockout game - the winner goes through. That's the mentality, we'd like to go through," said Nagelsmann, who still has a lot planned for his team this year: "Of course we want to win the cup. We have to take the step tomorrow in Mainz, which won't be easy." New signing João Cancelo, who FC Bayern loaned from Manchester City, may also come in handy.

Watch Cancelo's unveiling on Tuesday with Hasan Salihamidžić:

Opponents Mainz

After Mainz exited the competition in the round of 16 last season with a 3-1 loss at Bochum, Bo Svensson's team have just beaten the Ruhr side 5-2 at home in the Bundesliga and have plenty of confidence before this year's last-16 fixture. However, the season has not without problems for Mainz. The 05ers went a total of six games without a win before the victory against Bochum, but FCB coach Nagelsmann has no doubt about the threat of the opponent: "Bo Svensson has a very good team and a very good idea of football. The stadium develops a lot of emotion, they play very well physically and are effective in how they get at the goal," analysed the 35-year-old.

Bayern and Mainz last faced each other in the DFB Cup 17 years ago:

Team news

New signing Cancelo could feature in Mainz just 24 hours after his arrival in Munich. "He's fit and theoretically able to play," confirmed Nagelsmann. In addition, Leon Goretzka will return to the squad after recovering from muscular problems. Joshua Kimmich (knee pain) and Yann Sommer (adductor problems) struggled with minor injuries at the beginning of the week but should be fit for action. On the other hand, Sven Ulreich will most likely be out after a rib injury: "He's travelling with us, but it looks like he won't be available," said Nagelsmann. In addition, the Munich side will have to manage without long-term injuries Sadio Mané, Lucas Hernández, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Neuer.

Goalkeeper Robin Zentner and striker Jonathan Burkardt are missing for opponents Mainz.

The statistics for the meeting in Mainz:

What the coaches said