Bayern Strikes
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Three Takeaways as Bayern Munich put two past Mainz without answer

By Tim Richards

MAINZ, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 03: (l-R:) Franck Ribery of Bayern Muenchen Jean-Philippe Gbamin of Mainz and Sandro Wagner of Muenchen fight for the ball during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Muenchen at Opel Arena on February 3, 2018 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MAINZ, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 03: (l-R:) Franck Ribery of Bayern Muenchen Jean-Philippe Gbamin of Mainz and Sandro Wagner of Muenchen fight for the ball during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Muenchen at Opel Arena on February 3, 2018 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich edged closer to a sixth successive Bundesliga title as they faced Mainz in a match that really only began for Die Bayern after the first 25 minutes.

In what is becoming a frustratingly familiar sight, Bayern Munich stumbled out of the gates and were very fortunate not to concede to Mainz’s never-say-die approach. The first half of the first-half was shaky and showed that Bayern are still guilty of underestimating certain opponents.

Rotation, Rotation, Rotation

In a huge departure from how Bayern approached games under Carlo Ancelotti, today’s line up saw a number of “second team” options starting. Rafinha and Juan Bernat played 90 minutes in place of Joshua Kimmich and David Alaba. Sandro Wagner started in place of Robert Lewandowski. And the central midfield grouping was that of Corentin Tolisso, Sebastian Rudy and James Rodriguez in place of… whoever, really. The central midfield area is ever changing considering the amount of depth available to Heynckes.

This was a great opportunity to witness what other players bring to their position and how they interpret the play. Juan Bernat, for example, offers more skill and flare in his defending than David Alaba. A roulette to get out of trouble against an incoming Mainz player was a great sight and certainly one for his highlight reel.

Corentin Tolisso offers a great feature as a wide midfielder, playing more similarly to Saul Ñiguez of Atletico Madrid than Arjen Robben. Considering the incoming arrival of Leon Goretzka, there is ever possibility that Bayern’s use of wingers may be coming to an end, having a strong onus on technique over speed.

Sandro Wagner’s first start for Bayern made it apparent that Javi Martinez’s description of him being “similar to Mario Mandzukic” is very accurate. While Wagner did not score or assist today, he fought for the team, trying to win the ball back, coming deep to midfield, making tough tackles and working well with those around him. Offering a different center-forward approach than Robert Lewandowski, his addition to the squad will surely be more than just as a back-up.

Elsewhere, Sebastian Rudy played the role of a lone defensive midfielder. An intelligent and normally consistent player, this performance was arguably his worst in a Bayern shirt. Considering the news of yet more competition for his role, he failed to use this match as an opportunity to show what he can do.

Complacency

Last weekend, Bayern Munich conceded two goals in the space of 12 minutes. A lackadaisical approach to the game resulted in them being punished. While they came back and won in a convincing display, it was only convincing from about 20 minutes onwards.

And a similar thing happened against Mainz. The hosts were red hot at the kick-off and, in a sight that has become all too familiar recently, charged at Bayern. Having gone so many years losing game after game against the Bavarians, opponents are taking bigger risks, refusing to sit back and be toyed with.

A spectacular performance from Mainz defender (and apparent left-winger, playmaker and attacking-midfielder extraordinaire) Abdou Diallo was not enough to give Mainz a goal, but they came dangerously close time and time again.

A strong contender for man of the match, Mats Hummels recently said that Bayern need to wake up and start playing better if they want to get further in the Champions League and this match and the Hoffenheim match are evidence of this.

Besiktas are arguably one of the easier draws Bayern could meet in the next round of the Champions League but shouldn’t be taken lightly — after all, they came first in their group, Bayern Munich didn’t.

To Play the King

As Kingsley Coman’s stock rises higher and higher, he is starting to overtake Franck Ribery as Bayern’s leading left-winger. While still young, his finishing and crossing have improved significantly since Jupp Heynckes returned. His ever-improving form has coincided with Ribery’s injury plagued career catching up to him.

A drop in speed and agility combined with an understandable reluctance to let go has meant that many Bayern fans have called for Ribery to only be used sparingly. This match, however, has shown that he isn’t down just yet.

With the potential of a one-year contract extension on the table for both him and Arjen Robben, there is a strong argument to provide both with an extra year (with some provisions, of course). The possibility of having Robbery start matches for another year is enjoyable from a nostalgic point of view but is no longer realistic if Bayern are to compete with the best in Europe.

Next: Bayern win 2-0 over Mainz -- Player grades

However, what they offer at their best in their early to mid-thirties is a quality that would cost the club dearly in another player. The potential issues with renewing both of them is that they have been starters for the entirety of their respective careers at Bayern. Although, with both having spent the majority of their senior careers in Munich, the connection they both have with the club should be an indicator that if asked to sit out to make way for younger players, they would.