FSV come away from Munich empty-handed

Saturday afternoon bore zero fruit for 1. FSV Mainz 05 during their trip to face FC Bayern München, with the 05ers on the wrong end of a 3-0 score line when all was said and done. The match could have gone in a very different direction, since Jonny Burkardt had a more than presentable opportunity to put the visitors ahead shortly after kick-off. A positive opening period from FSV was rendered null and void, however, as Bayern took the lead through Leroy Sané before Michael Olise and Eric Dier added further goals.

Bo Henriksen made three changes from his team that started the draw against Wolfsburg. Andreas Hanche-Olsen came into the starting line-up in place of Moritz Jenz, who had picked up a knock. Stefan Bell replaced him in the squad. Phillipp Mwene replaced compatriot Nikolas Veratschnig from the off after returning to full fitness, while Paul Nebel took over the position of Nelson Weiper after serving his suspension last time out.

Burkardt spurns massive early chance before Bayern make their domination count

FSV began full of courage, taking the game to the record Bundesliga champions. However, one or two stray passes led to opportunities for the hosts and Mainz were fortunate that Bayern did not show more ruthlessness. Despite that, the most presentable opportunities early doors came the way of the 05ers. Jonny Burkardt was sent through on goal via a superb ball from Anthony Caci. The visitors’ top scorer left Min-jae Kim in his wake but directed his strike high over the bar from 11 yards out (6’).

The hosts then assumed control of proceedings as they sought the go-ahead goal. Robin Zentner was called into action to tip over a Leroy Sané strike from 20 yards out before Josip Stanisic did not catch his effort right from nine yards and sent it past the post following impressive build-up play through Sané and Harry Kane (13’). Mainz were too passive during this period, sitting far deeper than initially, which played into the hands of the Bavarians.

Henriksen had his side set up to withstand the pressure and look to make inroads on the counter. Mainz were able to do that successfully over the next 10, but on 27 minutes Bayern made their domination tell. Caci was off the pitch receiving treatment, and soon after had to be withdrawn, when Serge Gnabry and Konrad Laimer combined to supply Sané with the ball. He appeared rather fortunate to retain possession in the centre of the box and evade Danny da Costa before firing home coolly for 1-0.

The home side were in fact not creating too much in the way of opportunities, but FSV rather looked as if they were simply waiting for their hosts to turn up the heat once more. In actuality, it was a loss of possession from the visiting team in their own build-up play that led to the second Bayern goal in the 39th minute. Laimer was again involved in the supply line before Olise was afforded too much space and time by Mwene, who was perhaps concerned about making a challenge, having already received a yellow card. The Frenchman subsequently dispatched from 16 yards out, leaving Zentner with no chance. The goalkeeper was even required once more before the break to deny Gnabry and ensure that it was only a two-goal deficit for FSV as the half-time whistle blew.

Mainz miss out on a goal back as Dier makes sure of things

FSV emerged unchanged for the second half and created the opening opportunity, as they did at the start of the match. Da Costa played in Veratschnig, who raced past Kimmich but sent his attempt well wide of the upright with his weaker left foot. Bayern were made to fret again three minutes later when Nadiem Amiri tried his luck from 20 yards, forcing Jonas Urbig to turn round the post with his fingertips (56’). The visiting side had finally begun to test the young home keeper and he was called into action once more just two minutes afterwards. A deflected long-range drive from da Costa was parried before Eric Dier cleared the ball for a corner before the onrushing Burkardt could reach it (58’).

Mainz would have deservedly found the net based on their quarter hour of pressure after the restart, but it was again the hosts who next went closest and were only denied by the woodwork. Sané sought to chip the ball over Zentner when one-on-one with the stopper at the end of a counter attack; however, his effort ricocheted off the post, allowing Veratschnig to clear (62’). Offensive highlights rather dried up after that for some time and Henriksen looked to add further attacking impetus when he brought Weiper on for Mwene on 75 minutes. Nebel moved into a wide birth as a result.

The Mainz change had little impact in the way of turning the tide and it was again Sané who posed threat to the away team’s goal, striking the left-hand upright once more, this time from range (80’). Things did get worse for the 05ers shortly afterwards, though, as Dier found himself free at the front post at a corner, heading home for a decisive third goal (84’). Four minutes before the end of regulation time, Silvan Widmer, Arnaud Nordin and Armindo Sieb replaced Nebel, Lee and Burkardt, although with little chance of influencing the result. Weiper did manage a final shot on target for the visitors on 90 minutes but his effort was too central and easy for Urbig to deal with.

The 05ers remain on 47 points after 31 rounds of fixtures. Next on the agenda is a Sunday evening clash with local rivals Eintracht Frankfurt at the MEWA ARENA (kick-off 19:30 CEST).