Kompany aiming to right Bayern´s DFB-Pokal wrongs against Mainz

Vincent Kompany insisted Bayern Munich’s DFB-Pokal second round tie against Mainz is “just as important as a final”, with the aim of improving their cup record.

Bayern have struggled in previous editions of the tournament, losing to Holstein Kiel, Borussia Monchengladbach and Saarbrucken in the second round in three of the last four editions.

The 20-time champions of the competition reached the quarter-finals against Freiburg in 2022-23 – their best run since winning the title against Bayer Leverkusen in 2020.

Wednesday’s fixture offers the chance for Bayern to improve their DFB-Pokal record, though Kompany was not underestimating Mainz’s threat.

“We cannot change the past,” Kompany told a press conference. “Now it is about what we can deliver tomorrow.

“That is where our entire focus is on. I have a lot of faith in the team.”

“In my mentality there is no ranking (of competitions),” Kompany added. “It is always only about the next game.

“For us it is as important as a final because it is the next game and we want to win it and we will do everything to be successful.

“Mainz are strong in one-on-one (situations) and try to put pressure on with their compact game,” Kompany added.

“It is a Cup game and no easy task. It is important that we keep at it.”