Reds rewarded for rousing fightback

FC Bayern beat FSV Mainz 5-2 on Sunday evening. The German record champions dominated possession throughout but did not take their chances and were vulnerable at the back in the first half, Jonathan Burkardt and Alexander Hack handing the efficient visitors a two-goal half-time lead. Bayern showed their true colours after half-time, Joshua Kimmich pulling one back and Leroy Sané levelling the scores within five minutes. Sub Niklas Süle put Bayern ahead before Robert Lewandowski netted a penalty and soon rounded off his brace to seal the final scoreline.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso anchored a midfield featuring Sané, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry, with Lewandowski up front. Leon Goretzka, Süle, Jamal Musiala, Douglas Costa and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting took over from Pavard, Boateng, Gnabry, Tolisso and Müller in the second half.

Mainz spring a surprise

The first chance fell to the bold visitors, Burkardt latching onto a through-ball, but Neuer made a strong save. Lewandowski saw an effort saved before FSV keeper Finn Dahmen prevented a deflected Sané shot from trundling over the line. Tolisso fired wide from ten yards and saw another effort saved.

Mainz took the lead when a Danny Latza through-ball found Burkardt, who beat Neuer this time. Dahmen tipped a Lewandowski shot over the bar before Neuer denied Robin Quaison, but Mainz doubled the lead shortly before half-time, a Daniel Brosinski free-kick finding the unmarked Hack, who headed into the far corner of the net.

Impressive fightback

It looked as if the worst fears would materialise when Latza drew another brilliant save from Neuer after the interval, but Bayern hit the gas now and crucially pulled one back when Kimmich netted from close range, rounding off a move he had initiated himself. Sané soon levelled the scores when he cut inside from the right and found the far corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Munich had the ball in the net for a third time when Leandro Barreiro put into his own net under pressure from Sané, but the goal was ruled out for Davies' marginally offside position. Süle put Bayern ahead when he blasted into the far corner of the net following a corner, Lewandowski twisting the knife from the spot after Barrerio had upended Gnary in the box. The striker rounded off the scoreline when he converted Müller's cutback, and match official Markus Schmidt blew for full-time.

The result means the German record champions have 33 points from 14 matches, two clear of Leipzig. Bayern will be back in action on Friday, when they travel to face Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen