Thomas Tuchel will remain as Bayern Munich coach until the end of the season, but it is only prolonging the agony for their fans. The Bavarians are now 10 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen after a 2-2 draw with Freiburg in their last league game, meaning that barring a miracle, the club’s 11-year run of Bundesliga titles will come to an end.
Bayern’s players at least eased the pressure on Tuchel by qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday, thanks to a win over Lazio (3-1 on aggregate). Bayern will be looking to replicate that kind of form in the league, where they have won only one of their last four outings (1n, 2d), and have failed to keep a clean sheet in six games, which is almost unheard of for them.
If history is anything to go by, their fans should expect a return to form against Mainz, as Saturday’s visitors have lost more top-flight matches against Bayern (25) than any other opponent. That will be a scary thought for the “05ers”, whose 15-year stay in the Bundesliga is in danger, as they are nine points from safety and one point adrift of the relegation play-off place occupied by Cologne, after a run of just one win in 14 matches (7n, 6d).
Their last outing was a 1-1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach – their third game under Bo Henriksen (1v, 1n, 1d). He has his work cut out, and one of his priorities will be to improve Mainz’s away form, as his team are the only Bundesliga side yet to win away from home this season in 16 league trips (8n, 8d) – their last away victory came in April last year.
Players to watch: Bayern will be hoping that Jamal Musiala is back among the goals for good, as he has never lost a Bundesliga home game in which he has scored (12v, 3n). Forward Jonathan Burkardt, who has been the first scorer in each of his last eight appearances, including in a 3-1 win against Bayern in April 2022, could be the main man for Mainz.
Hot stat: Bayern Munich matches produce an average of 3.88 goals per game, the highest in the Bundesliga.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings