Mainz 05 at the MEWA Arena on Saturday handed Bayern Munich their first league defeat under the management of Vincent Kompany, with a 2-1 victory that left the Bundesliga leaders reeling.
This match, held on December 14, 2024, marked a major moment in the season as Mainz showcased resilience and tactical prowess to overcome the Bavarian giants.
The game began with Bayern Munich, who were looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table, showing early attacking intent. Michael Olise struck the post in the sixth minute, signaling Bayern's aggressive approach.
However, Mainz, undeterred by an early injury to Jonathan Burkardt, grew into the game with determination. Their efforts bore fruit just before halftime when Jae-sung Lee capitalized on a defensive lapse to give Mainz a 1-0 lead. Lee's goal was a testament to his opportunistic play, as he pounced on a loose ball to fire past Bayern's goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz.
As the second half commenced, Bayern intensified their search for an equalizer. Yet, it was Mainz who struck again, with Lee doubling the lead in the 60th minute. The South Korean midfielder displayed clinical finishing, turning past Joshua Kimmich to score his second goal of the match.
Vincent Kompany, in response to the mounting pressure, made tactical changes by introducing Leon Goretzka and Sacha Boey, followed by Mathys Tel. Despite these adjustments, Bayern struggled to break through Mainz's organized defense and high press.
The physical nature of the game was evident, with players like Dominik Kohr, Joshua Kimmich, and Philipp Mwene receiving yellow cards for their aggressive play.
Bayern's persistence finally paid off in the 87th minute when Leroy Sané managed to breach Mainz's defense, scoring a goal that set up a tense finale. However, despite the late surge from Bayern, Mainz held firm, securing a famous victory that sent shockwaves through the Bundesliga.
Reflecting on the match, Bayern's board member for sport, Max Eberl, acknowledged Mainz's superior performance, stating, "In the end, you’ve got to say that Mainz deserved it. Mainz were sharper and more aggressive in the individual duels."
Thomas Müller echoed this sentiment, noting, "Mainz played a good game and forced us to get involved in the things they do well – the second balls, the persistent little fouls, and the one-on-one duels."
This defeat was particularly important as it marked the first league loss for Bayern under Vincent Kompany's leadership. The former Belgium international, who took over from Thomas Tuchel, had maintained an unbeaten record in the league until this encounter. Despite the setback, Bayern remained at the top of the Bundesliga table, albeit with their lead reduced.
コメント