NOT YET FLICK’S
Mainz tear up script and leave Hansi’s title champers on hold
Mainz 05 Bayern Munich 1
2 BAYERN MUNICH blew their first chance to seal the Bundesliga title when they slipped to a shock defeat at Mainz 05.
The leaders need just one win from their remaining three games to seal the title.
And the Bavarians could still be crowned German title winners today – for the 31st time – if rivals RB Leipzig lose at home to Stuttgart.
Robert Lewandowski scored his 36th goal of the campaign, on his return from four weeks out with injury, with the final kick of the match.
But it wasn’t enough as the mid-table hosts celebrated a win over the title-winners elect to leave the champagne on ice.
Another trophy for the departing Hansi Flick beckons, but Bayern were left frustrated at being unable to confirm a ninth championship in a row.
Boss Flick admitted: “We are disappointed. We have to digest this defeat and take it on the chin. We have enough games left to earn that win. I assume we will get it.”
Jonathan Burkardt stunned the visitors after three minutes, turning at the edge of the box and firing beyond keeper Manuel Neuer.
The hosts enjoyed a powerful start and twice hit the woodwork in the opening 18 minutes with the Bavarian defence in disarray.
It was down to Neuer, who made a string of fine saves, to keep the scoreline respectable.
The in-form hosts grabbed a deserved second goal in the 37th minute when Sweden’s Robin Quaison drilled in a header from a free-kick.
Bayern took control after the break but created far too few chances – until Lewandowski pounced with the final kick.
The Poland star boosted his bid to overhaul
Gerd Muller’s all-time Bundesliga record of 40 goals in a season set in 1971-72, but little else went right for Bayern.
Neuer admitted his side deserved to leave empty handed and said: “We didn’t do much, especially in the first half.
“Mainz are playing to avoid relegation and were up for it. We
weren’t surprised by them. We knew that they were going to give everything.
“We wanted to seal the title here, but the performance wasn’t enough.
“It was simply too little from us in terms of body language. We didn’t have many chances, made mistakes and were punished.”