Mainz 2-1 Bayern: Player ratings as league leaders miss chance to clinch Bundesliga title

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Heads down / Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images
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Bayern slipped to a shock 2-1 defeat at Mainz on Saturday, missing the chance to wrap up the Bundesliga title on a difficult afternoon for the reigning champions.

Die Roten fell behind after only three minutes, when Manuel Neuer completely misjudged a fierce strike from Jonathan Burkardt, sticking out a limp hand, only to palm it into the back of his own net. He atoned for his error soon after, first tipping a great effort from distance onto the post, and then repelling another shot from close range.

Bayern's nightmare first half continued however, and Mainz doubled their lead on 37 minutes, with Robin Quaison heading home Philipp Mwene's set-piece to give the hosts a shock two-goal advantage heading into the break.

The visitors dominated the ball for large periods of the second half, but were unable to carve out any serious chances against a stubborn backline. Robert Lewandowski pulled one back in the final minute of injury time, but that was as good as it got for Bayern, who left the game without the title in their hands.

Right, let's check out the player ratings.


BAYERN PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Benjamin Pavard, Robin Quaison
Leaping highest / Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images

Manuel Neuer (GK) - 4/10 - Made an absolutely stinking attempt to stop Mainz's opener, but then returned to his former self to keep the score down. Lacked presence for the second. His mistake set the tone for a poor afternoon all round.

Benjamin Pavard (RB) - 5/10 - Messy first half did the damage, as he allowed a series of vicious attacks and crosses to rain down from his flank.

Jerome Boateng (CB) - 5/10 - All at sea. Never looked settled, and played his part in the chaos which allowed Mainz to fire chance after chance towards Neuer.

David Alaba (CB) - 5/10 - A proper shocker. Headed the ball into the path of Burkardt for the opener, and couldn't get to grips with the game. Picked up a booking as tempers flared. Moved into midfield before being subbed off.

Alphonso Davies (LB) - 7/10 - One of the better performers, pushing upfield and trying to spark something from this forward line. Burst into dangerous positions on a couple of occasions, but couldn't pick out his man.


2. Midfielders

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Agony / KAI PFAFFENBACH/Getty Images

Joshua Kimmich (CM) - 6/10 - Looked to bring Bayern back into the game by upping the tempo, but Mainz sat deep to deny any intelligent passes over the top. Fizzed a shot over from distance.

Leon Goretzka (CM) - 5/10 - Allowed the game to pass him by in the middle of the park. Sacrificed at half-time as Hansi Flick shuffled the pack. Didn't do enough to stay on the pitch.

Thomas Muller (AM) - 5/10 - Unable to supply Lewandowski with the balls he needed. Couldn't drift into the spaces in which he usually operates so clinically. Marked out of the match.


3. Forwards

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Grimacing / KAI PFAFFENBACH/Getty Images

Leroy Sane (RW) - 5/10 - Final ball was seriously lacking throughout the first half. Couldn't beat his man and when he did, he picked out wide open spaces. Subbed at half-time.

Robert Lewandowski (ST) - 6/10 - Looked a little bit rusty. Couldn't click with the men either side of him. Took a kick on the ankle in the first half, and whether that affected his game is up for debate. Tucked away his one good chance of the afternoon with the last kick of the game.

Kingsley Coman (LW) - 5/10 - Equally as ineffective - possibly worse - than Sane on the other side. A massive off-day and was put out of his misery after 45 minutes.


4. Substitutes

Jamal Musiala (RW) - 6/10

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (LW) - 7/10

Tanguy Nianzou (CB) - 6/10

Serge Gnabry (AM) - 6/10