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When Bayern go to Mainz in the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon, the big question is which opponent will they face? The 05ers are in ninth place, eight points behind the champions at the summit, but their home record is the worst in the division for 2026/27 – a stark contrast to their away form, where they rank top in the Bundesliga. But a run of three defeats, conceding nine goals and even being knocked out the DFB Cup by a Bundesliga 2 side has been a bruising week for Urs Fischer’s men.
Excellent away form, but recent defeats
Urs Fischer has been in charge at Mainz since last December. | © Getty Images
Mainz’s return of nine points from four games on their travels places them top of the Bundesliga’s away standings. This season, they’ve won 5-0 at Hamburg before claiming 4-3 and 1-0 victories at Borussia Mönchengladbach and Schalke respectively. That made it five straight away wins in the Bundesliga and an unbeaten run going back eight months. Striker Phillip Tietz had netted in five consecutive away outings across multiple seasons before his and Mainz’s runs ended with a 4-1 loss at Elversberg last Friday.
No luck at home
Results at their MEWA Arena have been very different, earning just a single point from four home outings this season. That came from a goalless draw with Paderborn on the opening weekend. The last three matches have seen defeats to Eintracht Frankfurt (3-1), Bayer Leverkusen (4-3) and Werder Bremen (3-2). It all places them bottom of the table for home results, having not won on their own patch since 22 March against Frankfurt (2-1). Last time out against Bremen, they found themselves 2-0 down early on but battled back, only to be left emptyhanded once again.
Nadiem Amiri has been leading Mainz as captain. | © Getty Images
A week to forget
Regardless of venue, Mainz have lost their last three matches in all competitions. The defeat to Bremen was followed by elimination in the DFB Cup at the hands of Bochum (2-0) before the loss in Elversberg. That’s nine goals conceded in the space of six days and the fourth year in a row they have failed to get beyond the second round of the cup. “That was one of if not the worst games we’ve had since I’ve been at Mainz,” coach Fischer stated clearly afterwards. Only a few days later after the Elversberg game he added, “We’ll very clearly address things.”
Width and pace
Sheraldo Becker’s pace is crucial to how Mainz attack. | © Getty Images
Scoring goals generally hasn’t been an issue for Mainz this season, with 17 from eight league matches meaning more than two per game. On the road alone, they have 11 from four. Tietz has been their main outlet with five goals in the league, taking his total since arriving in January to 10. He plays up front alongside Sheraldo Becker, who has two goals and four assists. Wing-back Anthony Caci also has three goals, including a brace against Leverkusen. Pace is crucial to how the 05ers play. Becker, for example, uses his talent to try and stretch defences, boasting a top speed this season of 36.58 km/h, which ranks second only behind Bayern’s Alphonso Davies (36.7 km/h).
Changes needed in defence
Despite usually having a very settled side under Fischer, Mainz will be forced into changes in defence, with both Stefan Posch and Phillipp Mwene suspended. Robin Zentner returned in goal against Elversberg after injury. Whoever plays at the back, they will need to fix the issues of the past week and try to improve their home form. But could this fixture against the champions actually be the ideal moment for the 05ers? They have won four of the last six Bundesliga games at home to Bayern. From a Munich perspective, they need to put that record straight if they’re to go into the international break top of the standings and back up their impressive midweek display at Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
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