One goal, two hits on the post, zero points: 1. FSV Mainz 05’s performance against FC Bayern Munich on Saturday evening (October 21, 2023) was a courageous one. That wasn’t rewarded.
Kingsley Coman (11th minute), Harry Kane (16th) and Leon Goretzka (59th) scored for Bayern in the 3-1 (2-1) win in Mainz. Anthony Caci had meanwhile shortened for Mainz (43′).
After the sixth win in the eighth league game, FC Bayern Munich remains third in the table with 20 points, the first pursuer of the top duo Bayer Leverkusen (22) and VfB Stuttgart (21). These are spheres that they can only dream of at 1. FSV Mainz 05. It was the sixth defeat for Bo Svensson’s team. Mainz remains 17th in the table with just two points.
Bayern counterattack Mainz
The opening goal for Bayern was preceded by an attack by Mainz. But the attack efforts lacked precision, and the record champions quickly switched gears. Leroy Sané dribbled the ball through midfield, then passed it out to the right to Coman. Coman’s first contact wasn’t ideal, but his shot into the far corner was. No chance for Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner.
Bavaria’s Ulreich shows his skills
Shortly afterwards, Mainz almost equalized. After a cross from Danny da Costa, Jae-sung Lee headed the ball into the right corner. It was a good header, only Bayern’s goalkeeper Sven Ulreich’s save was even better. Ulreich directed the ball onto the post with his fingertips (14th).
Munich’s Kane raises with his head
However, Mainz didn’t have a strong phase; instead, a second goal was scored for FC Bayern. After a free kick, Mainz goalkeeper Zentner slipped, allowing Goretzka to head the ball. He laid it off for Kane, who finished from close range.
Kane had the chance to score a second goal a few minutes later, but this time Bayern didn’t celebrate. Cross from Alphonso Davies, header from Kane, just over – it was a matter of centimeters (23′).
Mainz is getting stronger and shortened
Mainz 05 then found their way into the game better, which was also due to Brajan Gruda, 19. He had already been a ray of hope in the gray of Mainz in the past few weeks. It was also Gruda who opened the scoring shortly before the end of the first half. He dribbled from the right into the center, then passed to the left to Caci. And the French left-back hit the ball perfectly with his instep, his shot landing exactly at the angle.
Mainz has the chance, but doesn’t score
Mainz also had chances after the second break, the best of which was missed by Stefan Bell in the 57th minute. The central defender built up the attack himself and then sprinted. So he was in front of the Bayern goal in time to receive a cross from da Costa. Bell took the ball directly with his right foot and narrowly missed the goal.
The equalizer was nothing, and things got really bitter for Mainz: Less than two minutes later, Caci lost the ball to Konrad Laimer. In the end it was Goretzka who hit the bottom left corner with a low shot.
It was the last goal of the evening, but there was still one more excitement to be admired. It was the 89th minute when Mainz’s Gruda finished after a remarkable dribble. His low shot was precise, but landed on the post and not in the goal.
Mainz in Bochum, Bavaria against Darmstadt
Mainz are challenged for the start of the matchday in Bochum (Friday, October 27th, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). One day later, Bayern will visit SV Darmstadt (3:30 p.m.).