© FC Bayern
FC Bayern aim to extend their lead in the Bundesliga table in the last home match of the year against bottom club FSV Mainz on Sunday (kick-off at 17:30 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 second to last match of the year in our preview.
© FC Bayern
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The situation at Säbener Strasse could hardly be better. The atmosphere is great after Munich advanced to second place in the Champions League when they beat Sporting 3-1 to progress to at least the play-offs. A victory in the two remaining league phase matches in January would most likely mean direct qualification for the round of 16. Alphonso Davies made his yearned-for comeback against the Portuguese club after 261 days on the sidelines (documentary).
After three clear-cut Bundesliga victories in a row, Bayern top the table and are eight points clear of closest pursuers RB Leipzig, who lost 3-1 at Union Berlin on Friday. The German record champions have gone unbeaten in 13 league matches. On Friday, head coach Vincent Kompany and assistants René Marić, Aaron Danks, Floribert Ngalula a well as goalkeeping coach Michael Rechner extended their contracts. Bayern want to build on the good news and seal the next home victory against Mainz.
The facts ahead of Mainz:
"There are always a few question marks when there's a new coach. You always expect a reaction from the team. I must say we're always prepared, even if systems change during the game,” Kompany said in Saturday’s press conference: “If they play with a back four tomorrow, we know what we have to do in that situation. We always have to be flexible.”
Read more from Kompany at his press conference here:
The opposition: FSV Mainz
Mainz travel to Munich with a negative run of nine Bundesliga matches without victory and just six points – a negative record in the club’s history. After the dismissal of Bo Henriksen, Urs Fischer took over ahead of the Conference League match against Lech Poznan, a 1-1 draw, banking on defensive stability, but Mainz are still struggling up front. Fischer is confident despite the five-point gap to the relegation play-off place. “There are 21 matches to be played, many points are still up for grabs. Mainz know this situation, and they’ve overcome it before.”
We took a closer look at our upcoming opponents in our analysis:
The defence around Bell, da Costa and Hanche-Olsen will need to become Mainz’ strength again after they haven’t kept a clean sheet in 24 consecutive league matches. Mainz lack punch up front, having scored only 11 goals in 13 matches and seeing a lot of red cards. Bottom club Mainz are in for a huge challenge at FC Bayern, but the visitors are not to be underestimated.
Team news
After Alphonso Davies’ comeback, only Jamal Musiala is still sidelined with injury. Luis Díaz serves a one-match ban against Mainz, but apart from that, “everyone's fit, everyone's fresh. The players are fully focused,” Kompany said on Saturday.
In addition to Dominik Kohr and Paul Nebel, who are suspended, Fischer will have to make do without Phillipp Mwene, Robin Zentner (adductors), Anthony Caci and Maxim Dal (rehab). Silvan Widmer is doubtful after he had to be subbed off with injury against Lech Poznan. Leader Nadiem Amiri, who was sidelined with muscular problems, is set to return.
Put your knowledge of the upcoming Bundesliga match to the test in our matchday quiz:
What the coaches say
There's a normal tactic and the Bayern plan. It has happened before that we were well prepared, but our opponents did something different because they were up against us.
Vincent Kompany
It’s the toughest task to play in Munich, but of course we need a positive mindset, anything is possible. Just parking the bus won’t work, we have to strike the right balance.
Urs Fischer (FSV Mainz head coach)
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