After 2-0 deficit against Mainz: 45 minutes of spectacle are enough for Bayern

Sunday, January 03, 2021

After 2-0 deficit against Mainz
45 minutes of spectacle are enough for FC Bayern

For a moment it looks like FSV Mainz 05 could celebrate the biggest sensation of the Bundesliga season: The crisis club at Bayern Munich leads 2-0 at halftime. But then everything is still going well.

Robert Lewandowski clapped his teammates with relief. With another double, the world footballer played a decisive role in the fact that Bayern Munich barely prevented a crashing false start for his company Triple-Defense in 2021. The title collector had a lot more problems than expected in the 5: 2 (0: 2) against the cheeky outsider FSV Mainz 05. But you could rely on the mentality of FC Nimmersatt and Lewandowski.

"In the second half we came out with a completely different attitude, that was not enough in the first half," said Joshua Kimmich at Sky: "It was important that we show a reaction. And we were lucky that Mainz didn't make the third Tor makes. " Jonathan Burkardt (32nd) and Alexander Hack (44th) earned the cheeky outsider, who had not won any of his last six competitive games, in the lead. But Munich came back in the series after eight deficit in the league and prevented the first home bankruptcy in over 13 months: midfield boss Joshua Kimmich (50th), problem child Leroy Sane (56th), substitute Niklas Süle (70th) ) and Lewandowski (75th, foul penalty / 82nd) ​​met.

"Will things have to address"

"We forced the win with a mentality," Bayern coach Hansi Flick was satisfied, but also warned: "But we know that the first half was not what we imagined. We have to do a little better, sometimes a little more rustic Get down to business. We're going to have to address a few things that we need to do better. "

The Mainz interim coach Jan Siewert, placeholder for the new coach Bo Svensson, wanted to boldly "put pressure" on Bayern – and his team did it brilliantly. Siewert chose a classic diamond in front of the back four, which cleverly narrowed the spaces – and repeatedly managed to outnumber the offensive with quick switching. The newly formed Munich midfield with Kimmich, who was in the starting line-up for the first time since the beginning of November, and Corentin Tolisso often did not keep up.

Neuer has to save several times

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer had to save against Burkardt for the first time in the fifth minute. As a result, a game developed that was much more open than anyone expected. Siewert had feared that Mainz would "have to be lower", but that was not the case for a long time. Even if the offensive stars of Munich around Sane, who replaced Kingsley Coman (strain), had opportunities due to their class.

At 0: 1, Burkardt's Jerome Boateng felt he was being pushed against the rules; the record champions protested loudly, but in vain. The until then inconspicuous Lewandowski had the equalizer on the foot (36th). But professional debutant Finn Dahmen, who represented FSV regular keeper Robin Zentner (back) well, parried strongly. Even Robin Quaison could have increased (40th), which Hack then did with his head after Daniel Brosinski's free kick. After the break, Neuer prevented the 0: 3 against 05 captain Danny Latza (48th).

It was the final wake-up call for Bayern, who were more stable in midfield with their substitute Leon Goretzka and who were now trying to catch up. Lewandowski hung up for Kimmich, who hit the connection with his head. The midfield boss himself prepared for Sane, who, like Arjen Robben once did, pulled from the right to the inside and skillfully executed it from 18 meters. Mainz remained brave, Quaison hit the bar (59th).

Only a violent shot by the advanced Süle finally turned the tide. A foul by Leandro Barreiro on Serge Gnabry led to the penalty, which "Lewa" turned into his 18th goal of the season. Gnabry then limped off the pitch. The attacker probably only suffered a bruise on the shin. "We have to see how that plays out," said Flick. "I hope that he can start training again on Wednesday at the latest." Lewandowski finally added goal number 19.