Bayern Strikes
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Post-Match Analysis: Bayern Munich vs Mainz

By Kartik Sahni

MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 31: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) The players of FC Bayern München celebrate after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on August 31, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - AUGUST 31: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) The players of FC Bayern München celebrate after the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on August 31, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bundesliga/Bundesliga Collection via Getty Images) /
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31 August 2019, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich – FSV Mainz 05, Matchday 3 in the Allianz Arena. David Alaba (M) of FC Bayern Munich cheers for his 2:1 goal. Photo: Lino Mirgeler/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Lino Mirgeler/picture alliance via Getty Images)
31 August 2019, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayern Munich – FSV Mainz 05, Matchday 3 in the Allianz Arena. David Alaba (M) of FC Bayern Munich cheers for his 2:1 goal. Photo: Lino Mirgeler/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Lino Mirgeler/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

First Half Review

Bayern looked slow in the first ten minutes of the game with sloppy passing. The host tested Florian Muller in the fourth minute when Coutinho snatched the ball from Moussa Niakhate on the edge of the box and played it to Lewandowski in space who took a shot that went wide from the post.

Two minutes later, the visitors punished Bayern as they evaded their high-press and capitalized on the sloppy movement in defense. Ronael Pierre-Gabriel found space on the right-hand side of the field and managed to put a cross inside that was eventually headed by Jean-Paul Boetius who got better of Pavard at the far post, making it one-nil for Mainz.

Bayern continued to press high up the pitch to gain momentum, but they were struggling to find a breakthrough. Mainz remained organized in defense giving the hosts no chance to create a scoring opportunity.

The Bavarians kept on pushing for a goal with Pavard and Coman putting wasteful crosses in the box from the right-hand side of the pitch. Ivan Perisic appeared clumsy with the ball giving Mainz no threat from the left side.

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Bayern enjoyed 66% possession for the first 20 minutes but failed to muster a single shot on target. The champions then started to up the tempo of their game by increasing the intensity of press and squeeze space so that Mainz are not able to play out from the back.

Die Roten got their best chance of the game so far at the 29th minute when Thiago found Coman on the right-hand side of the pitch. The Frenchman moved centrally and slipped a ball to Perisic only for the Croatian to miss the target.

Having played for the first 30 minutes, Bayern got another chance as Lewandowski was brought down just outside the box by Niakhate. David Alaba, then, took a shot on target from the set-piece that was saved by Florian Muller.

The hosts camped in Mainz’s half for most of the time as they tried to search for the equalizer. Die Roten was finally rewarded when Perisic, having received the ball on the left-hand side, lofted the ball inside the box that was brilliantly volleyed by Pavard giving Muller no chance to keep it from going inside the goal.

The champions were settled and started gaining control of the game. They started testing opposition’s goalkeeper more often as Bayern attempted four shots in the first 40 minutes. One of these efforts was a long-range scorcher from Kimmich that was denied by Muller who saved the shot.

Mainz maintained a tight structure in defense canceling Bayern’s attempt to push for another goal. Their defense was finally breached when Lewandowski was caught by Alexander Hack outside Mainz’s box. Alaba was more precise with his placement of the freekick this time around as he gave Muller no chance to save this free-kick. The hosts went into the break on a good note as they had to work hard to get a 2-1 lead.