Image: GEPA/Witters/Halisch
The crisis at FC Bayern Munich has solidified in Mainz. After the clear Champions League defeat against Manchester City, Germany’s record champions lost 3-1 in the league on Saturday despite being in the lead. Before the evening game between pursuers Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt (6.30 p.m.), Bayern were only two points ahead.
Karim Onisiwo did the preparatory work for Mainz to make it 2-1, Florian Kainz and Patrick Wimmer scored for Cologne and Wolfsburg respectively. Cologne won 3-1 (2-0) in Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg 5-1 (3-0) in Bochum and Bremen 4-2 (2-0) in Berlin against Hertha BSC. A trio in acute danger of relegation missed a much-needed increase in points in home games.
Mainz however, proved to be a stumbling block for the third consecutive year Bavaria in the league. After Sadio Mané’s opening goal with a header (29th), a Munich work victory was initially announced. But in management mode, the team of neo-trainer Thomas Tuchel conceded the equalizer.
At first, the men in front didn’t get the ball away, then Neuer representative Yann Sommer deflected a shot forward in goal for Ludovic Ajorque (65th). Shortly thereafter, the game was tipped: Onisiwo held his own in the penalty area against Josip Stanisic and crossed for Leandro Barreiro (73rd). Tuchel reacted, replaced Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich. Mainz, however, made it 3-1 through Aaron (79th) in their overzealousness and can dream of the European Cup in sixth place. Bayern have been without a win for five games.
There was much less excitement in Bochum. In the VfL duel Bochum against Wolfsburg the hosts coached by Thomas Letsch and Kevin Stöger presented themselves defensively with extremely few holes. The 3-0 win before the break was symptomatic: Mattias Svanberg, the scorer to make it 1-0 (10′), made unhindered meters in midfield, served Wimmer and he scored with calmness and a deflected shot (33′). Wimmer also had his legs in the game before Jakub Kaminski (21st) made it 2-0 and stayed in the dressing room at half-time with a yellow card. Stöger lost the ball before Svanberg’s 0:4 (56th).
In Sinsheim, Kainz confidently converted a hand penalty with a low shot into the middle (18th). host Hoffenheim around Christoph Baumgartner then presented himself as a relegation candidate and the FC Cologne followed up. Davie Selke successfully heaved into a cross from Kainz’s half-field (39′). Jan Thielmann for Cologne and Kasper Dolberg for Hoffenheim scored in added time.
Bremen-Striker Marvin Duksch took care of that Hertha with a triple pack (6th, 27th, 51st) almost alone. On the defensive, Werder captain Marco Friedl was initially able to be credited with a flawless performance, although Hertha came back to 2:4 after the 0:4. Bremen got rid of their biggest concerns with 35 points (12th). Hertha are still five points short of a non-relegation zone, which Bochum (15th) holds two points ahead of Hoffenheim (14th).
Source: Nachrichten
