Bayern title party boosted with victory over Mainz
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ByEurosport
Updated 24/05/2015 at 10:16 GMT
Bundesliga, Allianz Arena - Bayern Munich 2 (Lewandoski 24 pen Schweinsteiger 48) Mainz 0
Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm lifts up the Bundesliga trophy
Image credit: Reuters
Bayern Munich won their first league game in four with a 2-0 win over Mainz on the final day of the Bundesliga season, with goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern controlled the ball from kick off, maintaining possession across the defence and midfield. For the opening stages, Mainz held their own and kept Bayern at bay.
Eventually, Bayern started to open up Mainz a little more, and earned a corner from which Bastian Schweinsteiger’s header was handled in the area - Robert Lewandowski converting the resulting penalty. Johannes Geis twice went close for Mainz with shots on target from long range.
In the second half, Bayern kept up the pressure on Mainz and doubled their lead after a few minutes. Lewandowski brought down a high ball into the box and found Schweinsteiger, who had the time and space to drill past Loris Karius.
With neither side having anything to play for, the game drew to a limp conclusion. Bayern had arrested their slide, but there was little else to be excited about despite the post-match celebrations.
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Bayern Munich's David Alaba (L) pours beer over coach Pep Guardiola
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KEY EVENTS
6’ - LAHM HEADER: Lahm scoops a pass out right, gets a return pass, and thunders a header straight at the goalkeeper.
24’ - BOATENG SHOT: After failing to break down the Mainz defence, Boateng has a little room to shoot from the edge of the box, and his curling shot is tipped away by Karius.
24’ - PENALTY! Schweinsteiger's header is blocked by a hand in the box.
25’ - GOAL! Bayern 1-0 Mainz. Lewandowski strikes the ball down the middle of the goal, with the keeper predicting wrong and diving to his right.
33’ - GEIS SHOT: Geis isn't closed down, with room around 30 yards out, and his well struck shot forces Neuer into quickly reacting to pluck it out of the air.
48’- GOAL! Bayern Munich 2-0 Mainz. Lewandowski brings down a high ball into the box, and as he tries to control it, it rolls to Schweinsteiger, who fires it into the net.
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Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates after scoring a goal against FSV Mainz
Image credit: Reuters
51’ - BAUMGARTLINGER CHANCE: Baumgartlinger has the ball inside the box, and he wastes his chance by drilling a shot straight at Neuer.
75’ - KEEPERS SAVE - Neuer pulls off a great save. De Blasis brings down a ball into the box, and he spins his marker, sending a shot to the roof off his net, that Neuer tips away. At the other end, Pizzaro is one-on-one with the keeper, but Karius gets down well to save.
KEY STATS
This was Bayern’s first league win in four attempts.
Mainz have not beaten Bayern Munich since 2010 and have not won in their last seven meetings.
Bayern now have 25 league titles.
Schweinsteiger has now played 500 games for Bayern Munich.
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Bayern Munich's David Alaba (L) pours beer over Mitchell Weiser
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TALKING POINT
Can Pep Guardiola reinvigorate his ageing Bayern side next year? Xabi Alonso, Schweinsteiger, Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery and others are all around 30 or older. Injuries have caught up with the side this year, and there are rumours of dissent. Guardiola has a year left on his contract, and he might be tempted to overhaul the squad for one last push at the Champions League with Bayern.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich): It was hardly the most impressive performance, but that was largely because it did not have to be - Mainz were safe and Bayern already had the title. Schweinsteiger, linked with a move to Manchester United and supposedly not one of Guardiola’s favourite players, capped his performance with an impressive goal.
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Bayern Munich's supporters hold mock trophies with number 25, the amount of Bundesliga championships their side have won
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PLAYER RATINGS
Bayern Munich: Neuer 6, Alonso 6, Dante 6, Lewandowski 7, Rafinha 7, Boateng 6, Bernat 6, Goetze 6, Lahm 6, Mueller 6, Schweinsteiger 7. Subs: Pizarro 6, Rode 6, Weiser 6.
Mainz: Karius 6, Noveski 6, Geis 6, Bengtsson 5, Malli 6, Baumgartlinger 6, De Blasis 6, Bell 6, Bustara 5, Brosinski 6, Bungert 6. Subs: Moritz 6, Okazaki 6, Clemens 6.
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