Bayern Munich will take on Mainz in the DFB Pokal Last 16, as Julian Nagelsmann seeks a much-needed distraction from Bundesliga duties.
Mainz, who play Bayern Munich next, will clearly remember the season when they came back into the Bundesliga and even reached their best-ever finish in the DFB Pokal. The club lost out to Bayer Leverkusen in the 2008/09 season in the semi-finals, their highest-ever finish in the competition.
Having not made it to the final ever, Mainz has a difficult task at hand in the Round of 16 of this competition. Playing Bayern Munich is always a difficult prospect for any team, and Mainz will have to face the chance this time.
Bo Svensson: "We can't wait for the game tomorrow. We're taking on one of the best teams in the world in front of a full house!"#Mainz05 #M05FCB pic.twitter.com/FQi8bgMBeY
— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) January 31, 2023
Despite the mammoth task in front, Mainz have plenty of reasons to be optimistic ahead of Wednesday’s clash. For one, it is Bayern’s stuttering form, and the other is their weekend’s result against VFL Bochum. Their win over fellow strugglers cleared them of the relegation zone, and Bo Svensson will hope to build confidence from here on.
Julian Nagelsmann will welcome the cup competition’s distraction to take the focus away from Bayern Munich’s stuttering league form. The Bavarians stumbled again as they could only manage a draw against UEFA Champions League-chasing Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.
Randal Kolo Muani’s goal salvaged a point for the visitors, which leaves the Bundesliga race abundantly open. For Nagelsmann, returning to winning ways is imperative to build his side’s confidence. Moreover, the 35-year-old manager is yet to win the DFB Pokal in his short but successful career.
He once reached the final when managing RB Leipzig and was ousted by Borussia Monchengladbach last season when they overcame Bayern in the early rounds of the competition. A win here would take Bayern Munich into the quarter-finals, which will be the aim heading to Mainz.
Team News & Tactics
Mainz
Bo Svensson will have to contend without some of his first-team players in this game. Stefan Bell, Robin Zentner, Delano Burgzorg, Jonathan Burkardt and Marlon Mustapha are all out of Wednesday’s clash through various injury problems.
A cup game against @FCBayernEN under the lights π
We can't wait for tomorrow. β#Mainz05 #M05FCB pic.twitter.com/5AAd1szt9N
— Mainz 05 English (@Mainz05en) January 31, 2023
Maxim Leitsch is likely to replace Bell in the lineup. Bo Svensson could also utilise Anton Stach and Marcus Ingvartsen in the team. Finn Dahmen will start in goal and have a back three comprising Andreas Hanche-Olsen, Maxim Leitsch and Alexander Hack. Danny da Costa and Aaron Caricol will feature as wing-backs.
Anton Stach and Leandro Barreiro will stack the central midfield positions and look for compactness in the middle. They will have to support the likes of Angelo Fulgini and Marcus Ingvartsen in the attacking areas. Karim Onisiwo is likely to lead the line for Mainz.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1):Β Dahmen; Hanche-Olsen, Leitsch, Hack; Da Costa, Stach, Barreiro, Caricol; Fulgini, Ingvartsen; Onisiwo
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich also have plenty of key absentees in the squad through injury issues. Midfielder Leon Goretzka, defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Lucas Hernandez, captain Manuel Neuer and attacker Sadio Mane are all missing from action. Bouna Sarr is also out of contention.
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Our newest signing's shirt is available now in the FC Bayern Shop ποΈ#MiaSanMia #ServusJoΓ£o
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 31, 2023
Meanwhile, midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is a transfer target for Manchester United and did not train on Tuesday. He might move on and hence remain absent from the squad on Wednesday. Therefore, considering the injury to Goretzka and Sabitzer’s situation, Joshua Kimmich and Ryan Gravenberch could form a midfield partnership.
Nagelsmann could use the cup clash to bring new signings to the fore. He could use the latest arrival, Joao Cancelo and Daley Blind, in full-back roles. Dayot Upamecano and Matthijs de Ligt will form the central defensive partnership.
Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman can take up wide areas, while Jamal Musiala could feature between the wingers as Bayern’s No.10. Mathys Tel should start up front and lead the line for Nagelsmann’s side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1):Β Sommer; Cancelo, de Ligt, Upamecano, Blind; Kimmich, Gravenberch; Gnabry, Musiala, Coman; Tel
Key Stats
- Julian Nagelsmann has never won the DFB Pokal as a manager.
- Bayern Munich have drawn their last three games in all competitions.
- Bayern Munich have won the DFB Pokal 21 times in their illustrious history.
- Mainz have never made it to the Final of a DFB Pokal competition, with a semi-final berth in 2008/09 as their best performance.
- The victory over VFL Bochum ended Mainz’s six-game winless run in all competitions.
Player To Watch
Jamal Musiala
Musiala is steadily becoming one of the best players in the Bundesliga. His rise in stature at Bayern and the German national side has been stellar. But he needs to back it up with consistent performances under Julian Nagelsmann. The cup competition is another opportunity for the young star to show his worth.
Bayern are struggling for attacking form as things stand. Musiala should take this opportunity to play a crucial part in the DFB Pokal and subsequent league games. His form between now and the end of the season could have ramifications for Bayern in the Bundesliga race, Champions League and cup competitions.
Prediction
Mainz 1-2 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have seen their healthy lead at the top of the Bundesliga table evaporate following some disappointing draws in recent games. Hence, this DFB Pokal clash will be a good time for Julian Nagelsmann to help build some confidence in his team, which is currently low.
Incidentally, Mainz come into the game against Bayern Munich with good confidence after steering away from the relegation zone. In the end, everything will come down to both sides’ overall qualities, and Bayern have plenty of it in their squad. Hence, it is safe to consider the Bavarians favourites to win this cup clash and advance into the quarter-finals.
