Post-Match Analysis: Bayern Munich vs Mainz

FC Bayern Munich hit the net six times to make it three losses in three games for Mainz in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich continued where they left off last week at Schalke by scoring six goals against Mainz, adding more misery for Sandro Schwarz as his team extends the losing streak to three games.

Niko Kovac made three changes from last week as Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Perisic started the game. Kovac used 4-2-3-1 formation in which Manuel Neuer started in goal while Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Sule, Lucas Hernandez, and David Alaba formed the defense unit of the lineup.

The Croatian manager continued to deploy Joshua Kimmich in the central midfield. Thiago partnered the German international in the center of the park. The Spaniard came back straight into the lineup after missing the game against Schalke due to minor injury.

There were some surprising changes in the attack. Ivan Perisic got his first start in Bayern shirt as he replaced Serge Gnabry in the lineup. The Croatian winger played on the left of the front three while Kingsley Coman had a positional change as he slotted in the right-wing role. Philippe Coutinho was rewarded for his promising display last weekend as he started in the number ten, while Robert Lewandowski led the line for the hosts.

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.

Second Half Review

The second half began with Mainz replacing Danny Latza by Pierre Kunde in the midfield.

Bayern continued their press high, keeping possession in all areas of the pitch. The Bavarians efficiently played out from the back. With a solid defensive foundation in Pavard, Sule, Hernandez, and Kimmich, Die Roten created another chance when the ball came rolling from the back to Thiago in the center of the pitch who found Coman on the right-wing. Coman dribbled past his man to put the ball in the box that was pushed away by Muller.

Bayern looked dangerous from the right-hand side. Pavard who overlapped the wing on the right received a pass from Coman which was crossed to find Perisic’s head making it three for Bayern. The Rekordmeister were in full control of the game as Mainz rarely tested Neuer with Edimilson Fernandes coming close from Kunde’s corner as his header was saved by Bayern’s captain.

Bayern were on the verge of adding their fourth goal in the 62nd minute when Alexander Hack lost the ball to Coman. The Frenchman found Lewandowski in the box, only for his chipped shot to be cleared off the line by Niakhate.

Two minutes later, Bayern made it four as Coman slotted the ball comfortably in the bottom corner, after a perfect delivery from Kimmich. Sandro Schwarz was left fuming on the touchlines. With 23 minutes remaining on the clock, the home side made two changes as Perisic and Coutinho were replaced by Alphonso Davies and Thomas Muller respectively.

The fifth goal came after Muller’s introduction. After a neat one-two with Coman on the right flank, he found Lewandowski in the middle who controlled the ball comfortably and slotted the ball in the bottom left side of the goal with a slight deflection from the post.

Michael Cuisance came on for Thiago just a minute before Davies delivered the final blow to make it six goals for Bayern. The attack was anchored by Kimmich who linked up with Lewandowski as the Pole dinked the ball in from right outside the box to find Thomas Muller in the right-hand side of the box. The German then lofted the ball that was well taken by the young Canadian winger to find the back of the net.

It was all over as Mainz hit rock bottom. Once again, in stoppage time, Bayern tried to increase their lead as Kimmich tested Muller from distance but the German managed to save the shot with the tip of his fingers. The game ended in a thumping six-one victory for Bayern Munich.

Niko Kovac seemed to have found a solid foundation in a revamped defensive structure giving assist master, Kimmich a key role in the number six position. The Bavarians looked dangerous on the attack as they were often seen with four men poaching through the middle when Pavard and Alaba overlapped on the wings. This strategy has been maneuvered with the help of Sule, Hernandez, and Kimmich remaining at the back to stop a counter from the opposition in situations when Bayern lose possession while pressing high up the pitch.

The Croatian was pleased with his team’s efforts and reckoned that Mainz’s opening goal was a wake-up call as his side reverted with quick passing supported by good moves on the wings. (News Source: fcbayern.com)

"“We were too lethargic until the first cooling break. We didn’t find a reply to Mainz’ aggression, we thought it would be easy. Then our passing was quicker, we lured our opponents into the centre and had good moves on the wings. David Alaba’s goal before the break was crucial. It was over when we scored our fourth goal. We go into the two-week international break happy.”"

Another positive in this game was the goals coming from different players, making Bayern a team to be feared again as they now look firm contenders for their eighth consecutive title. The Bavarians took 19 shots against Mainz with 11 on target and controlled the game with 63% possession.

The champions go into the break with a buoyant mood before they face a stern test away to RB Leipzig on 14th September.