Dominant Reds breeze past Mainz

FC Bayern beat Mainz 6-2 on Saturday, reclaiming top spot in the table overnight at least. Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala and Sadio Mané handed Munich a three-goal lead, Silvan Widmer pulling one back with the half-time whistle imminent. Leon Goretzka and Mathys Tel extended Bayern's lead before Marcus Ingvarsten scored for Mainz, but Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting rounded off the final scoreline.

The German record champions lined up with Sven Ulreich in goal and Noussair Mazraoui, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Gnabry, Musiala and Mané, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting up front. Benjamin Pavard took over from de Ligt at half-time, Marcel Sabitzer, Kingsley Coman, Ryan Gravenberch and Tel coming on for Goretzka, Gnabry, Musiala and Mané in the second half.

Action-packed first half

The 75,000 full house at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern hit the ground running, and Mané hit the side-netting before he teed up Gnabry, who fired home from close range to hand Bayern an early lead. Ulreich denied Anton Stach and Musiala blasted wide before Mané saw an effort blocked.

Bayern doubled their lead when Musiala netted from 20 yards after a one-two with Choupo-Moting. Mainz soon missed a double chance, Jonathan Burkardt hitting the crossbar before Jae-Sung Lee's rebound crashed off the post. Alexander Hack tripped Mané, and referee Benjamin Cortus pointed to the spot after reviewing the scene on the monitor. Up stepped Mané who saw his shot parried but netted the rebound. Ulreich soon punched clear a cross and crashed into Burkardt, Cortus awarding another penalty after a VAR check. The Bayern keeper directed Burkardt's spot-kick onto the bar but was unable to prevent Widmer from heading in the ensuing corner.

Choupo's streak continues

Proceedings were similar after the restart, Widmer firing over and Gnabry seeing an effort blocked. Choupo-Moting hit the post from a tight angle and Mané missed two chances as Bayern upped the ante again, before Goretzka rewarded their dominance when he headed in a Mané cross.

Keeper Robin Zentner denied Musiala and Mazraoui headed just wide, Barkok hitting the side-netting at the other end. Choupo-Moting and Tel saw their efforts saved but the latter soon found the net with the help of a slight deflection. Ulreich saw a stray pass picked up, allowing Ingvartsen to pull one back. Zentner denied Sabitzer but Coman's square found Choupo-Moting, who made no mistake from close range.

The result takes Bayern onto 25 points from 12 matches, two clear of Union Berlin, who take on Gladbach on Sunday. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday when they entertain Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen