Mainz not a warm-up for PSG semi-final, insists Kompany

Vincent Kompany was very clear that Bayern Munich's Bundesliga meeting with Mainz will be taken seriously, despite their Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain being around the corner.

Bayern wrapped up the Bundesliga title last weekend, with a 4-2 comeback win over Stuttgart, ensuring they will top the pile for the second year running after securing the trophy with four games to spare.

They then booked their place in the DFB-Pokal final in midweek by beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0, as they continue to chase a treble.

Eyes have already been drawn to the mouth-watering clash between Bayern and PSG, with the first leg of the semi-final taking place on April 28.

But Kompany, whose side have the chance to equal the record points tally in the Bundesliga (91, set in 2012-13), is determined to pick up a win against Mainz.

"The Mainz game is no warm-up but a Bundesliga fixture," Kompany said in his pre-match press conference.

"We want all three points. I believe Urs Fischer would do the same thing in my position.

"It could be that there are changes as we manage workload. The important thing is that we're ready to play our best. But if that doesn't work because Mainz is a very tough away game, then we also need to be ready to fight.

"I want to field players who don't need to be concerned about things because they're fresh. Everyone wants to play their role in the coming weeks, but the priority now is Mainz and making sensible decisions."

Mainz sit 10th in the table and have lost just one of their last eight matches in the Bundesliga (W3 D4), though they come into this match after a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.

Urs Fischer made his Bundesliga debut with Mainz against Bayern in the first half of the season. In 17 Bundesliga games with them, he has suffered only three defeats (W7 D7) – only Kompany's side have fewer losses in the league during this period (one).

The Belgian head coach is expecting a challenge against Mainz, but he still took time to revel in their recent achievements.

"It's not easy winning the league," he added. "Having success here isn't easy.

"It's fun working in this group, but also this league, because football in Germany is attractive. It looks easier than it is, but it takes a lot of energy, so we can be proud and want to keep doing it."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mainz – Nadiem Amiri

Only Harry Kane (10) has scored more penalty goals than Nadiem Amiri (eight) in the Bundesliga this season.

Amiri has scored 11 goals overall, overperforming his 8.0 expected goals (xG), while he has a shot conversion rate of 26.8%, having had 41 attempts in total.

Bayern Munich – Luis Diaz

Luis Diaz has recorded 15 goals and 13 assists this Bundesliga season – he is the first Bayern player since detailed data collection began in 2004-05 to reach at least 13 goals and 13 assists in a Bundesliga season.

Only one player has managed at least 14 goals and 14 assists in a Bundesliga season since 2004-05: Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho in 2019-20 (17 goals, 16 assists).