Mainz will be taking on FC Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga at the Mews Arena in Mainz on 30th April. Bayern Munich will return to Bundesliga for the first time since being round champions for the 10th consecutive season. Meanwhile, hosts Mainz will need to be wary of the champions as they continue to finish the season on poor terms.
Mainz have been extremely poor away from home in the Bundesliga this season. However, even in their wildest dreams, they may not have expected a 5-0 hammering at the hands of a Wolfsburg side who have had their fair share of struggles this season. As a result of that massive loss, Mainz are only two points ahead of Wolfsburg in 10th place on the table.
Bo Svensson’s team was already trailing the match 1-0 early on when Niklas Tauer saw a straight red card midway through the first half. That certainly had a major impact on the game as the Mainz side began being open up like a can following his departure. They suffered an unspeakable collapse in the remainder of the opening 45 which saw Svensson’s men heading into the half-time break already five goals behind.
Despite the shambolic end to the first half, Mainz were solid and disciplined in defence in the second 45 minutes of the contest. This ensure that the scoreline remained as respectable as possible. However, even with that silver lining, it was yet another disappointing result for the side who are entering a downward spiral in the final few weeks of the Bundesliga campaign.
The fact that Mainz haven’t won any of their last five matches is in sharp contrast to the fantastic start that they witnessed at the beginning of the season. They were making an unlikely challenge for the European spots in the top half of the table. However, the recent form has left them crippled in 10th place. Mainz’s chances of making it to the top six, range from little to impossible following the hammering at Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg.
If there’s anything positive that Mainz boss Bo Svensson can take from his side’s recent poor form, it is the fact that four of the five losses have been on the road. Ahead of the gigantic fixture against Bayern Munich, they will return to the Opel Arena on Saturday, where they have Bundesliga’s fourth best home record.
Mainz have suffered losses in just two matches at home and have remarkably conceded only eight goals in their 15 league outings in front of their own supporters so far this season. Although they have a poor head-to-head record against Bayern Munich and have been in very disappointing form lately, they will be hoping to extend that impressive streak at home and spoil the Bavarians’ recent title coronation party.
On the other hand, Bayern Munich will be hoping to celebrate their 10th consecutive Bundesliga title in style this weekend. They secured the domestic crown in a perfect manner by defeating their biggest rivals and second-placed Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker, Germany’s grandest fixture, the last time out.
Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski found the back of the net in the opening stages of the contest. This allowed the Bavarians to take control of the match in the early proceedings. The visitors could only muster little resistance as the hosts seemed to be on top of the game from minute 1. Although Emre Can pulled one back from 12 yards out, Bayern steamrolled their way to a fantastic win and with it, the title.
Jamal Musiala scored the all-important goal which not only secured their win against Borussia Dortmund, but also their 30th domestic crown, by far the most in the German top flight. Julian Nagelsmann’s side moved 12 points clear at the top of the table with just three matches remaining and can afford to take it easy from here on.
The early title celebrations will offer some sense of comfort following disappointing early exits from the DFB Pokal, as well as the UEFA Champions League against Villarreal. Winning the Bundesliga hasn’t exactly been a monumental challenge for Bayern Munich in recent years, and Nagelsmann’s first year with the club has ended with him achieving the bare minimum. Bayern have also had several spells of inconsistencies this season, which have not been punished by competitors in the title race.
With that being said, band Munich have been more than deserving of the 10th domestic success and Julian Nagelsmann has become the youngest coach to lift the Bundesliga. With no matches remaining in any other competition, the Bavarians are expected to reserve their full concentration and energy hoping to finish the remaining weeks on a strong note.
Although speculation surrounding Robert Lewandowski’s departure continues to grow in Munich, he has been in fine form in front of goal and will be expected to continue finding the back of the net. He has already registered 33 goals so far this season and will be gunning for more.
MAZ vs FCB, Bundesliga 2021/22
Date: 30th April, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Mewa Arena, Mainz
FORM GUIDE:
Mainz Bundesliga form:
- W-D-L-L-D-L
Mainz from (all competitions):
- W-D-L-L-D-L
Bayern Munich Bundesliga form:
- D-W-W-W-W-W
Bayern Munich form (all competitions):
- W-L-W-D-W-W
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Mainz wins: 5
Draws: 3
Bayern Munich wins: 25
MAZ vs FCB TEAM NEWS:
Mainz Team News: Niklas Tauer got red-carded in the previous match against Wolfsburg, and therefore, will not be available to take to the field against the champions on Saturday. Alexander Hack is expected to fill in for him in the backline alongside Stefan Bell and captain Moussa Niakhate. The trio will have plenty of responsibilities on their shoulders and keeping the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Serge Gnabry, and Thomas Muller quiet for 90 minutes is no easy feat.
Mainz will also miss Jeremiah St Juste who remains unavailable at the back. Meanwhile, the likes of Lee Jae-sung, Paul Nebel, and Delano Burgzorg are also in the medical room and are expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Bayern Munich Team News: As far as the visitors are concerned, French winger Kingsley Coman might miss this trip to the Rhineland after picking up an ankle injury recently. Therefore, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala might be in contention to start in his place.
Corentin Tolisso’s hamstring injury continues to keep him on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Bouna Sarr and Omar Richards’ participation in this clash is also doubtful because of a knee injury as well as an illness respectively.
Besides the obvious changes that need to be made on the flanks, Julian Nagelsmann is unlikely to shuffle his pack too much despite securing the title last weekend.
Mainz possible starting lineup:
Zentner; Hack, Bell, Niakhate; Widmer, Barreiro, Stach, Kohr, Martin; Onisiwo, Burkardt
Bayern Munich possible starting lineup:
Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Lewandowski
Predictions:
Bayern Munich is a thoroughly professional side and it is difficult to imagine them taking things easy. They are as ruthless as it gets in the Bundesliga and despite not having anything left to play for, they will be the favourites to carve through the Mainz backline incessantly and pick up another win.
Despite their excellent record on home turf this season, the hosts are arriving into this clash on the back of the worst possible form. They are winless in their last five games and are completely aware of the firepower that the visitors possess in attack. That, coupled with the fact, that they will have to make changes to the backline following Tauer’s suspension means that it could end up being a long evening at the Opel Arena.
