When Bayern showed their fighting spirit against Mainz

Bayern take on Mainz in the round of 16 of the 2022/23 DFB Cup on 1 February. While the two clubs have faced off 33 times in the league since the 05ers’ first Bundesliga promotion in 2004, there have only been two previous cup encounters, back in 1999 and 2006. fcbayern.com looks back at the most recent cup clash when FCB were forced to show their fight.

Zidan with early shock

Mainz came racing out of the blocks under coach Jürgen Klopp and gave Bayern an early shock on a cold January evening. Mohamed Zidan put the 05ers ahead after just 20 minutes when he converted a penalty to stun the Allianz Arena just eight months after it was opened.

Double dose of Peru

Felix Magath’s side had made their DFB Cup debut at their new home in the previous round when they beat Hamburg 1-0. The idea of a quarter-final elimination in front of a home crowd was not up for debate. Bayern edged closer to an equaliser but were consistently thwarted by Christian Wetklo in the Mainz goal. It wasn’t until the 81st minute that the 53,000 in attendance had something to cheer about as a header from Claudio Pizarro took the holders into extra-time. And it was thanks to substitute Paolo Guerrero’s finish four minutes into the additional period that Bayern had finally turned things around.

Extra-time drama

Despite the quickfire Bayern goals, Mainz hit back themselves and equalised on 106 minutes through Petr Ruman. Yet the holders weren’t done yet on 24 January 2006. A wonderful finish from 25 yards by Pizarro in the 115th minute put FCB into the lead once again with the clock ticking down. Bayern would hold on this time and progress to the final four and keep their dream of a first DFB Cup title defence in 37 years alive.

Kahn: “We hit back clinically”

Bayern could only praise their opponents after the match. “It was a super game from both teams. Mainz fought till the end, but we hit back clinically,” said captain Oliver Kahn. FCB went on to beat St. Pauli (3-0) and Eintracht Frankfurt (1-0) to lift the cup for the 13th time in their history. Now 17 years on and Bayern are going for glory once again. There’s still a way to go but the next hurdle comes on Wednesday in Mainz.