FC Bayern returned to the top of the Bundesliga for the first time in some 57 days, with Sadio Mane scoring one and assisting two in a devastating 6-2 win over Mainz.
Bayern are top for the first time since early September (Matchday 4).
The record champions have scored at least once in all of their home Bundesliga matches dating back to 9 February 2020.
Buoyed by a run of five consecutive wins in all competitions,FC Bayern were all over Mainz like a rash. Mane volleyed into the side netting with the game’s first real opening, before crossing low for Serge Gnabry to sweep in his 50th Bundesliga goal for the club.
Silvan Widmer sent a tame header at Sven Ulreich as Mainz mustered a response of sorts, but a sensational team goal involving Alphonso Davies and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – capped by Jamal Musiala’s arrowed 18-yard finish – left the visitors with mountain to climb.
Musiala is FC Bayern’s top scorer in this season’s Bundesliga, with seven goals.
Initial attempts to scale Mount Bayern saw Jonathan Burkardt fire against the crossbar and Jae-sung Lee hit the upright on the rebound. Bayern then sent the 05ers back down to Earth with a bump as Mane won and missed a penalty – awarded upon VAR review for a foul by Alexander Hack – before converting the follow-up. Ulreich conceded and saved a Burkardt spot-kick moments later, only for Widmer to glance in Aaron’s ensuing corner and give Mainz a lifeline.
There was to be no great comeback, however. Bayern refound top gear in the second half as Choupo-Moting sent a warning shot against the woodwork from a tight angle. Mane whipped quick-fire efforts wide of the far post, before running unchecked and crossing for Leon Goretzka to power in a header for 4-1. The onslaught continued as Zentner made himself big to deny Musiala what would have been a wonderful solo goal. Mainz’s goalkeeper was beaten from the resultant corner, but Noussair Mazraoui’s downward headed dropped the wrong side of the upright. Choupo-Moting was the next Bayern player to try his luck, the Cameroonian veteran’s strike from inside a crowded penalty box met by Zentner’s firm right hand. Their work done, the brilliant Musiala and Mane made way to rapturous applause in the final 20 minutes. Substitute Mathys Tel ensured the party continued with a fifth Bayern goal, the 17-year-old firing home from 18 yards with the aid of a deflection. Marcus Ingvartsen pulled one back following a mistake by Ulreich, but Bayern had the final say through Choupo-Moting. The ex-Mainz forward won a header and continued his run, before turning in Kingsley Coman’s return pass with the goal his performance deserved.
Choupo-Moting has 25 goals in 70 appearances for Bayern, compared to his 22 in 106 for Mainz between 2011-2014, and six in his last five competitive games.
The record champions have scored at least once in all of their home Bundesliga matches dating back to 9 February 2020.
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