Resolute Reds turn the tide

FC Bayern beat FSV Mainz 2-1 on Saturday, extending their lead in the table to six points. Karim Onisiwo put Mainz ahead in the first half, but Bayern were utterly dominant after the restart and swung it back their way, Kingsley Coman levelling the scores early in the second half before Jamal Musiala sealed the final scoreline with a quarter-hour to go.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernández and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Musiala and Corentin Tolisso anchored a midfield featuring Coman, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané, with Robert Lewandowski up front. Niklas Süle, Marc Roca and Serge Gnabry took over from Hernández, Tolisso and Sané midway through the second half, Tanguy Nianzou coming on for Musiala in the closing stages.

Trailing at half-time

Once referee Benjamin Cortus whistled play underway, it was an evenly-balanced contest with Bayern dominating possession and the visitors looking to strike on the break. Barreiro tested Neuer before Davies fired over and saw another effort deflected behind. Onisiwo saw an effort saved but soon handed Mainz the lead, heading in a cross.

Bayern went looking for a reply but ran up in vain against Mainz' solid defence. A Müller effort was deflected wide before Davies miscued a header, with Coman seeing a shot blocked, and after Sané put a free-kick into the wall, Cortus blew for half-time.

Coman and Musiala on target

Munich strangled their opponents with possession after the restart, FSV keeper Zentner denying Lewandowski and Coman, but the latter levelled the scores when he latched onto a sumptuous Tolisso pass and beat Zentner. Sané and Coman saw efforts saved before the Frenchman aimed inches too high.

Munich's impetus abated for a spell but they took the lead with a quarter-hour to go, when Pavard's square found Musiala, who created space with his first touch and beat Zentner from 18 yards. Mainz pushed for an equaliser but Bayern skilfully ran down the clock and sealed a narrow but deserved victory.

The result means FCB have 37 points from 15 matches, six ahead of Dortmund, who drew against Bochum. It means Bayern are almost certain to top the table at the midpoint of the campaign. Bayern will be back in action in just three days, when they travel to face Stuttgart.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen