Two wins from two games is FC Bayern’s record since the international break, and they’ll be looking to build on that in their next Bundesliga game at 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday (live ticker and Webradio from 15:30 CEST). “We’re going to Mainz looking to carry on from the last two games that we’ve won,” commented coach Niko Kovac in Friday’s press conference.
Bayern are fourth in the table going into their meeting with the Rheinhessen outfit, who are winless in their last five games after a strong start to the season in which they took seven points from three Matchdays. Most recently they were thrashed 4-0 by Borussia Mönchengladbach, which leads Kovac to believe “that it will very difficult precisely because of Mainz’s recent results”. Bayern certainly won’t be underestimating the hosts, stressed Kovac: “We know how tough it is for opposition sides there. We need to work hard for 90 minutes.”
The 47-year-old coach has taken confidence from his team’s two successes in Wolfsburg and Athens. “I think the two wins have done us good,” he said. “I hope the match at Mainz gives us a further boost and we can get back to where we were.” Kovac added that his side will need to “be patient and take their chances” against the 12th-placed 05ers.
Ribéry fully fit - Gnabry confident
Kovac will be without Arjen Robben, who is suspended after his sending off against Wolfsburg. However, Franck Ribéry is back in the squad having worked hard to get fit again after missing Tuesday’s Champions League game at AEK due to a back problem. “He’s fully recovered,” confirmed Kovac.
Also set to feature is Serge Gnabry, who was named man of the match for his impressive performance in Athens. “We’ve regained confidence from the two wins,” said the winger, who knows exactly what Bayern can expert at the Opel-Arena: “It’s not always been that easy for Bayern at Mainz in the past. We’re going there in good spirits but we mustn’t underestimate Mainz.”
As for the hosts, they don’t want to be written off already despite their bad run of five games without a win or a goal. “For us, the challenge of producing a top performance from our role as underdogs is a really enticing one,” said coach Sandro Schwarz. “We’ll need to be at our best, in terms of our play, tactics and work rate. Then you need things to go for you on the day and of course you also have to prevent Bayern from having a good day.”
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