Mainz 3-1 Bayern Munich: Initial reactions and observations

admin tarafından yayınlandı

3 April 2024, 15:15 yayınlandı

Initial reactions and observations

It may be time for the Bayern Munich board to go the way of the samurai and commit career seppuku because this was bad. Really bad. Really really bad. Words fail to describe how bad it was.
Thomas Tuchel tried the back three experiment and while it looked somewhat decent, we were reminded why Nagelsmann had to abandon it. Blew up in record time.
Joshua Kimmich and Thomas Muller being subbed off totally threw Bayern into chaos. Tuchel’s subs make no sense.
Mathys Tel should have started.
What does Goretzka even DO?

Looking for more analysis mixed with a bad-tempered rant? Then check out our postgame podcast! Explicit content warning because there’s swearing, it really was that kind of game. Listen to it below or on Spotify.

78’ — Goal. Mainz make it 3-1.

73’ — Goal. Mainz make it 2-1.

64’ — Goal. Mainz equalize.

45’ — The second half kicks off!

Halftime observations and analysis

Bayern Munich created plenty of chances leading up to the goal, but less once it was already 1-0. More evidence of complacency in the squad?
Sadio Mane always plays better when he’s offside, or is he offside when he’s playing better? Whatever it is, he’s been good today.
Thomas Muller has been off his game. His vision and decision making is the same as usual, but the final pass has always lacked execution. You get the impression that he’s rushing.

Halftime: Bayern Munich lead 1-0.

29’ — GOOOOOOOOAL! Sadio Mane makes it 1-0!

16’ — Sadio Mane gets it in the net, but he’s offside.

9’ — Sub: Alphonso Davies off for Mazraoui, Cancelo moves to the middle.

7’ — Horrible news, Alphonso Davies looks to have pulled a hamstring. He’s done for today, and possibly the season.

Kickoff: We’re underway!

One hour until kickoff: We have lineups! It’s … not great. Thomas Tuchel fields what looks like a 3-5-2 with Sadio Mane and Thomas Muller as the striker. Joao Cancelo comes in for the suspended Benjamin Pavard, while Josip Stanisic starts in defense along with Upamecano and De Ligt. Honestly, this seems like a massive opportunity to start Mathys Tel that has just been missed.

Let’s hope Bayern Munich can score some goals with this lineup.

This season has been a SLOG. Bayern Munich only have a 60% win rate in the Bundesliga this season, compared to around 70% in the last two. The football practically hurts to watch and the off-pitch issues cast a dark cloud over the whole team. It’s honestly a little depressing.

Still, there’s a trophy left to play for. Thomas Tuchel probably doesn’t want to become the first Bayern coach in a decade to go trophyless, so he’ll be pushing his team to limp over the finish line as hard as they can. Star players like Thomas Muller, Joshua Kimmich, and Matthijs de Ligt will be expected to carry the brunt of the burden, as the club look to keep Borussia Dortmund and bay and prolong their hegemony over the Bundesliga as a whole.

It’s Bayern time.

While you’re waiting for the game, why not check out our Weekend Warm-up podcast? Chuck talks about Bayern vs Mainz, the striker topic, the team’s recent collapse, and more! Listen to it below or on Spotify.

Match Info

Location: MEWA Arena, Mainz, Germany

Time: 3:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST

TV/streaming: ESPN+, Find Your Country

Tips for commenting:

If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself! We’re ~~mostly~~ very friendly! Also, we’re from all parts of the world so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog.
If the comments section starts to slow down for you, just hit the refresh button and keep commenting. It’s not necessary to have the whole comments loaded at one time while you’re just casually following along.
Keep the sorting to “newest” to easily follow the conversation. It puts the newest comments at the top.
Here at BFW we celebrate every goal like they do in the stadium: with a chant. The goal chants are for everyone to participate in! Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on.
While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language is not allowed whatsoever.

Check out our beginners thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s!

Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Sign up for an SBNation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news, podcasts or something completely different, we have it all.