Bayern Munich roar back from two goals down to crush Mainz

Bayern Munich roared back from two goals down to beat Mainz 5-2 in the Bundesliga at the Allianz Arena.

The relegation strugglers came into the game under new interim management, former Huddersfield Town manager Jan Siewert in the dugout, and they went not just one goal up, but two up at the home of the champions.

Firstly, a quick countering ball from Danny Latza fell into the path of Jonathan Burkardt, who muscled Jerome Boateng out of the way before smashing it inside Manuel Neuer's near post. The lead was doubled after Alex Hack flicked home a Daniel Brosinski free kick, and Mainz would go in at half-time with a shock lead.

But those would be all the positives for the visitors. Joshua Kimmich and then Leroy Sane drew the champions level, before a cruel ricochet from a Niklas Sule effort and Robert Lewandowski penalty saw the two-goal cushion swing the other way, and suddenly Siewert's men had a mountain to climb.

Robin Quaison crashed the bar with a thunderous volley and Latza forced a brilliant save from Neuer, but it was Lewandowski who had the last laugh, adding a cushioned volley from a Thomas Muller cross to make the lead unassailable for the Bavarians. The win takes Bayern top of the table, two points clear of RB Leipzig, with a trip to Borussia Monchengladbach up next.

A first-half blitz from the visitors shook the champions, who looked somewhat disrespected having had their feathers ruffled, and Hansi Flick responded with two half-time substitutions: Benjamin Pavard and Boateng off, Leon Goretzka and Niklas Sule on.

Both changes paid off - Sule striking the third goal, and Goretzka adding guile and a presence to the midfield. It was a disappointing second half for Mainz, after a quite brilliant opening 45 minutes, but the spirit of the champions, alongside their technical prowess and ruthlessness in front of goal, saw the game swing back into their hands.

He may have only played 45 minutes, but after a return from two games out with injury, the former Schalke midfielder was the game-changer for Bayern.

Pace, power, directness, energy and intricate passing - he had it all as he helped the hosts force themselves into the driving seat, pushing an initially energetic Mainz side back, and bullying the visiting engine room with his physicality and willingness to tackle. An inspired substitution from Flick, and after the wasteful performance of Corentin Tolisso, it highlighted Goretzka's importance and influence over the team.

Bayern Munich: Neuer 6, Pavard 5, Boateng 5. Alaba 6, Davies 6, Kimmich 7, Tolisso 5, Sane 7, Muller 6, Gnabry 6, Lewandowski 7. Subs: Sule 7, Goretzka 8, Musiala 6, Choupo-Moting 6, Costa 6.

Mainz: Dahmen 7, St Juste 7, Hack 7, Brosinski 6, Mwene 6, Latza 7, Fernandes 6, Barreiro 6, Quaison 7, Boetius 5, Burkardt 7. Subs: Onisiwo 6, Mateta 6, Stoger 6, Papela N/A, Szalai N/A.

32' GOAL! Bayern 0-1 Mainz (Burkardt). It's been a really impressive first half an hour for the visitors. And they've scored! A quick-fire counter, and Burkardt slams it home! A long ball forward from Latza, Boateng claims he's been shoved, and the striker bears down on Manuel Neuer, and scores his first goal of the season. What a start for Mainz!

44' GOAL! Bayern 0-2 Mainz (Hack). It's two! It was fizzed in beautifully, and Alex Hack has flicked it home to double the lead! A lovely delivery from Brosinski, and Hack loses his man to make the cushion two goals!

50' GOAL! Bayern 1-2 Mainz (Kimmich). A melee at the back for Mainz, capitalised upon by Kimmich! A great run from the right-back, the nutmeg and floated cross, Gnabry floats it back the other way, and through a Lewandowski flick, Kimmich is there at the far post to nod home.

55' GOAL! Bayern 2-2 Mainz (Sane). Oooohhhh! What a response, not just from Bayern in general, but Sane after his big miss! Driving in off the right flank, Mainz can't keep up with him, and he flashes it inside the goalkeeper's near post with a ferocious drive. What a response from the champions.

64' GOAL! Bayern 3-2 Mainz (Sule). No doubt about that! Niklas Sule with the strike, little ricochet, no chance for Dahmen, and the substitute makes it Bayern 3-2 Mainz! They've turned it around!

70' PENALTY... GOAL! Bayern 4-2 Mainz (Lewandowski). Gnabry cutting in off the left, and Barreiro chopping the German down. It's all going wrong for Mainz now. Lewandowski makes no mistake from the spot.

82' GOAL! Bayern 5-2 Mainz (Lewandowski). There's another. Lewandowski, off a Muller pick out. Brilliantly found by the raumdeuter off the right, and the Pole on the volley doubles his tally, and surely wraps up victory for Bayern.