Bayern go into DFB Cup game at Mainz with positive mindset and clear goal

Bayern are in for a real knockout tie under the lights at the Mewa Arena as they visit Mainz in the second round of the DFB Cup on Wednesday (kick-off at 8.45pm CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.

Check out the best photos from final training on Tuesday:

Latest news from Bayern

With three of Bayern’s last four DFB Cup campaigns having ended in the second round, the objective this year is quite clearly to “get to Berlin,” according to sporting director Christoph Freund. “Anything can happen in the cup, so we need to be ready. We really want to progress,” he added at Tuesday’s press conference. Head coach Vincent Kompany also wasn’t too interested in looking back: “We can’t change the past. It’s about what we do tomorrow. Our full focus is on that. I have incredible trust in the team.”

The team showed on Sunday what sort of top performance they are capable of, having dominated Bochum in the 5-0 win in the Bundesliga. “We know what we need, how we want to play and how we need to perform as a team. With the mindset of needing a focused performance for 90 minutes every three to four days, we need to keep going,” stated Konrad Laimer. That attitude and momentum from the weekend’s commanding win should once again lead to success in Mainz and further drive on the team’s development process. “We’re working on the details so we get better. That’s the same again now. Our goal is to take the next step,” said Kompany.

Read more from Kompany and Freund at Tuesday’s press conference here:

Opponent: Mainz

It took a remarkable nine-game unbeaten run at the end of last season to keep Mainz up in the Bundesliga. They have started this campaign better, with nine points from eight league fixtures, including last Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bo Henriksen’s team needed extra-time to get past Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the cup. However, the 05ers are yet to win a game at home in 2024/25. Nevertheless, Bayern are aware of the danger posed by their hosts and their qualities. “Mainz are tough in their tackles and try to apply pressure from a compact shape. They're an opponent who are alive - you see that in every situation. It's a cup game. It won't be easy. We'll prepare for the game and are looking forward to it,” said Kompany.

Read up on the facts ahead of Wednesday’s game:

Team news

Bayern make the trip to Mainz still without long-term injury absentees Hiroki Ito (metatarsal), Josip Stanisic, Sacha Boey (both knee) and Aleksandar Pavlović (collarbone).

The 05ers are missing Andreas Hanche-Olsen (broken toe), Karim Onisiwo (muscular) and Jonathan Burkardt (thigh).

What the coaches say