Bayern Munich start make-or-break month at Mainz

Bayern Munich start a run of eight games in four weeks on Saturday at Mainz with sports director Christian Nerlinger warning his side's superstars they must prove their worth both home and away.
Bayern, third in the Bundesliga, are at title-rivals Mainz on Saturday evening, before facing holders Inter Milan away in the Champions League on Wednesday in the first leg of the last 16 tie.
Defending champions Munich then host league leaders Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, February 26 as they look to make up the 13-points they trail.
Next comes Schalke 04 in the German Cup semi-final on March 2, Hamburg and Hanover in the Bundesliga, before Bayern host Inter in the second-leg of their Champions League tie on March 15, then Freiburg again in the German league.
"We need a good run of results, and we'll try and win all our matches," said winger Franck Ribery.
By that point, Bayern will know if they are set for a successful season, but their minimum target is second in the Bundesliga behind leaders Dortmund.
"Knockout matches are always juicy, and in the Bundesliga we're continuing to pursue our goal of reaching second place as soon as possible," said Nerlinger.
"The players are well aware of how important it is for us to keep winning in the Bundesliga."
Both goalscorer Mario Gomez and winger Arjen Robben sat out training on Wednesday with mild knocks, but both are expected to face Mainz.
With both Robben and Ribery -- whom the German media have dubbed 'Robbery' -- in the side, Bayern are hoping they can keep their stars fit.
The only long-term absentee now is Ivica Olia, who will not play again this season.
"I hope we're spared even more injury misery," said Nerlinger.
Bayern were impressive in brushing aside Hoffenheim 4-0 last weekend, when Robben scored twice.
On Saturday, Dortmund host St Pauli, who won the Hamburg derby 1-0 on Wednesday for the first time in 34 years against their neighbours, and are looking to get back to winning ways after two consecutive draws.
The hosts are without defender Neven Subotic who is banned after his red card against Kaiserslautern last weekend.
Second-placed Leverkusen are at home to second-from-bottom VfB Stuttgart on Sunday and will be without midfielder Michael Ballack, who is struggling with a knee injury.
Fourth-placed Hanover are home to Kaiserslautern, who are now in the bottom three, on Saturday with strikers Didier Ya Konan of the Ivory Coast and Norway's Mohammed Abdellaoue back in the side after injury niggles.
The north German derby between Hamburg and Werder Bremen on Saturday sees the guests desperate for points as Bremen are just two points above the relegation zone and looking for their first win in five games.
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v St. Pauli, Hamburg v Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim v Cologne, Freiburg v VfL Wolfsburg, Hanover 96 v Kaiserslautern, Mainz 05 v Bayern Munich
Sunday
Bayer Leverkusen v VfB Stuttgart, Borussia M'gladbach v Schalke 04