bundesliga

Robert Lewandowski goals record mere consolation for Bayern Munich in Mainz

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Robert Lewandowski made Bundesliga history, but Bayern Munich lost 3-1 to Mainz in their first outing since being crowned 2021/22 champions.

Mainz 3-1 Bayern Munich
Goals: 1-0 Burkardt 18' (assist: Kohr), 2-0 Niakhate 27' (assist: Stach), 2-1 Lewandowski 33' (assist: Choupo-Moting), 3-1 Barreiro 57' (assist: Widmer)

Bayern sealed their 10th successive Bundesliga title last weekend, but there was little to celebrate about their display in Mainz. All at sea defensively, the record champions had the woodwork to thank for keeping out Jonathan Burkardt's shot from an impossible angle early on. Alexander Hack headed a corner against the crossbar and another wide, before Mainz deservedly forged ahead. Dominik Kohr headed a tame Sven Ulreich clearance into the box for Burkardt, who fired under Bayern's stand-in goalkeeper with aplomb. Mainz doubled their lead when Anton Stach flicked on an Aaron Martin free-kick for Moussa Niakhate to toe over the line, but Bayern - having just hit the upright through an Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting header - reduced the arrears courtesy of Lewandowski's fabulous turn and finish. It was his Bundesliga record 18th away goal of the campaign.

The half-time introduction of Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane added verve and vigour to the Bayern attack, with only a superb recovery challenge from Hack denying Lewandowski his brace. Mainz were in danger of being hemmed in when Stach picked the pockets of Sane and sent Karim Onisiwo away. Silvan Widmer took up possession and found Leandro Barreiro, who scored via a huge deflection off Benjamin Pavard. The 05ers should have been home and hosed soon after, but Burkardt skewed wide from close range after being picked out on the edge of the six-yard area by Barreiro. Onisiwo crashed an effort against the bar, while Robin Zentner thwarted a deflected Lewandowski strike as mid-table Mainz ended a five-match winless run in style.

Match stats

  • Burkardt has three goals and one assist in five Bundesliga meetings with Bayern.
  • Mainz beat Bayern at home for the fourth time in 16 Bundesliga matches (D1, L11).
  • Lewandowski has scored 20 goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances against the 05ers, including 11 in as many games in Mainz.
  • Mainz rattled off a club-record 18 goal attempts in the first half. Bayern have never given away so many shots in a first half since detailed data collection began.
  • Ulreich made his sixth Bundesliga appearance of the season. He's kept one clean sheet.
  • Bayern need to score eight times across their final two games to equal their own single-season Bundesliga record for goals (101, 1971/72).

Watch: Julian Nagelsmann: "Mainz could have scored eight or nine goals"

Teams

Mainz: Zentner - Hack, Bell, Niakhate (c) - Widmer, Stach (Brosinski 89'), Barreiro (Stöger 90'+2), Kohr (Papela 90'+2), Martin - Onisiwo (Ingvartsen 89'), Burkardt (Boëtius 81')
Unused subs: Dahmen, St. Juste, Lucoqui, Nemeth
Out: Burgzorg (heart), Lee (knee), Nebel (ankle, Tauer (suspended)
Coach: Bo Svensson

Bayern: Ulreich - Pavard, Süle (Stanisic 79'), Hernandez (Nianzou 67'), Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka (Sane 46') - Gnabry, Sabitzer (Musiala 46'), Choupo-Moting (Vidovic 67') - Lewandowski (c)
Unused subs: Neuer, Richards, Roca, Tolisso
Out: Coman (ankle), Müller (cold), Sarr (knee), Upamecano (personal reasons)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Watch: Moussa Niakhate: "Bayern the best in the world"