Below-par Reds slump away to Mainz

FC Bayern missed their first chance to seal a ninth straight Bundesliga title, falling 2-1 away to Mainz on Saturday. Jonathan Burkardt and Robin Quaison handed the home side a two-goal lead in the first half. Bayern dominated possession after the restart but were uninspired in attack, and Robert Lewandowski's consolation goal in added time was not enough.

The Bavarians lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich featured in a twin holding role behind Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski up front. Tanguy Nianzou, Jamal Musiala and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting came on for Goretzka, Sané and Coman at half-time, Serge Gnabry taking over from Alaba with 20 minutes to go.

Two goals down

Pavard fired just wide in the second minute, but the home side sprang a surprise and were dominant in the opening stages, taking an early lead when Burkardt beat Neuer from 20 yards. Neuer directed a deflected Danny Latza header onto the post, Lewandowski blasting over the bar at the other end. Neuer made a strong save to deny a Quaison shot from short distance. A deflected Danny da Costa effort crashed off the post before Bayern got a grip on the contest.

Sané tested keeper Robin Zentner, but Bayern proved uninspired against Mainz' solid defence. The day turned sour when a Philipp Mwene free-kick found Quaison, who headed past Neuer. FCB went looking for a reply but failed to create anything of attacking note, and the sides turned round with the home side two goals to the good.

Lewy gets one back

Bayern dominated possession after the restart but ran up vainly against the rock of Mainz' defence, and chances proved few and far between. Kimmich fired wide before Choupo-Moting warmed Zentner's gloves and saw another header saved.

Leandro Barreiro miscued a shot before Boateng's through-ball evaded Lewandowski. Bayern scored a consolation goal in added time when Lewandowski intercepted an Alexander Hack header back to Zentner and slotted home, but it came too late to avoid defeat.

The result means Bayern have 71 points from 31 matches, ten clear of Leipzig, who take on Stuttgart on Sunday. The Bavarians will be back in action on 8 May, when they entertain Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen