German Bundesliga: FC Bayern vs Mainz
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Location: Allianz Arena Stadium
Going international break with a win: This was FC Byrne's plan for Saturday's home game against Mainz 05 (see FS1 and Fox Deports at 9:30 am). After the matchday 3 clash, the Bundesliga took a two-week break due to an international match. fcbayern.com finalizes key information before the game.
It was a bad start to the season for Menz. After being drafted from the DFB Cup, the 05 players lost in their opening two league games, though they were certainly not inferior to any competition. Sandro Schwartz's men fought greatly against both Freiburg and Borussia Monchengladbach and even dominated the moves. However, weakness is already emerging at the closing stages of the games, with five of the last eight goals they have admitted to coming in the final 15 minutes.
Thiago returned to full training this week after Shaul was taken out of the match and Nico Cova expressed confidence about the Spaniard's chances of playing at his press conference on Thursday. Leon Goretzka has also returned to the grass with his teammates, though it has not yet been determined if he will be found. Fiat Arap will miss again due to illness.