Mischievous Mainz target Bayern Munich as Lewandowski nears century landmark
On the opening weekend of Oktoberfest, we bring you the stand-out stats as Bayern Munich meet Mainz in a fixture that rarely fails to produce drama aplenty at the Allianz Arena.
Raise your Maßkrüge (or giant beer mugs) everyone, for that yearly celebration of copious ale consumption and blissful Bavarian bonhomie is upon us: it's Oktoberfest!
With the world-renowned 18-day beer-drinking bash set for a Saturday start, what better team to target in our weekly statistical summary than southern German giants Bayern Munich, who host the always meddling Mainz on Matchday 4.
And if celebration is our theme, we must first focus on Polish powerhouse Robert Lewandowski, who not only appears deadly in front of goal, but also pulls off a mean look in a pair of traditional Bavarian Lederhosen.
The scintillating striker will slip into something more match-appropriate when he enters the field of play to celebrate his 100th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern this weekend, before taking aim at one of his favourite rivals. The two-time Torjägerkanone winner has struck 11 goals in 13 games against the 05ers, a fine tally that includes four goal-scoring doubles.
For that, we offer Lewy, one of the Bundesliga's living legends, an Oktoberfest Prost – or toast. And while we’re at it, we'll add another shout of 'cheers' to the reigning champions for their on-field form during the two-and-a-half week festivities in recent years.
Bayern haven't lost a game over the Oktoberfest period since 2010, which translates into a run of 18 wins and four draws. But before FCB fans break into a celebratory round of Schuhplatteln – that Bavarian, knee-slapping dance – let's offer a quick reminder of who it was that last spoiled the party seven years ago: Mainz.
Watch: Lewandowski - the world's most complete striker
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In fact, when it comes to bringing down Bayern's Bierzelt (giant beer tent), Mainz are more mischievous than most. Saturday's hosts last lost at home in the Bundesliga when Die Nullfünfer stunned a packed Allianz Arena by emerging 2-1 victors in March 2016, while Carlo Ancelotti's side have won just four points in their last three outings against Sandro Schwarz's men.
Even the most recent meeting between the teams ended in a 2-2 draw in Bayern's back yard in April, making Mainz the only current Bundesliga club to score in their last two top-flight visits there.
But fearful of completely killing die Blasmusik – Oktoberfest’s oompah soundtrack – we can report that Bayern's record against one of their suposed Bundesliga bogey teams is generally quite good. Mainz have suffered more losses (15) against the current title holders and conceded more goals against them (56) than any other team they have faced in Germany’s top division.
Indeed, Bayern failed to score against Saturday's opponents just once in 22 Bundesliga games between the sides.
Numbers aside, wherever you are and whoever you support this weekend, don't forget your Brezel (pretzel) and Lebkuchenherz (gingerbread-shaped hearts) and listen out for Saturday's cry of 'O'zapft is!' - or 'it's tapped' – signalling the opening of the first beer keg of Oktoberfest. Oh, and make sure to start streaming the Blasmusik while following all the Matchday 4 action right here on bundesliga.com and across our social platforms!
More stats next week!
Paul Bryan
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