Kane prevents a stunning loss in Munich

When young Lennart Karl, who is the natural successor to Thomas Muller scored the opening goal of the Bayern – Mainz match, it was all smiles at Allianz Arena. Even Muller clapped from the director’s box, as the Munich legend came back from Canada, where the football season is over, to watch his former team. At that point, it was just the question of how many goals Bayern will score. After all, much better teams than Mainz came to Munich and allowed four or more goals. After all, the Bavarians had a record of six wins at home, with 29-4 goal difference while Mainz allowed 15 goals on their travels. But come 97th minute, it was 2-2 and it was Harry Kane who prevented an embarrassment with a 87th minute penalty kick.

The Bavarians are literally grinding all their opponents at the Allianz Arena but a number of wasted chances and a spirited defense from Mainz nearly got them defeated for the first time this season. The visitors are dead last in Bundesliga and are yet to record a win at home but they were so close of their third away game this season, against the champions. They changed coaches and former Union Berlin boss Urs Firscher came over and the shock therapy almost worked. He was without a number of players (Anthony Caci, Maxim Dal, Phillipp Mwene, Robin Zentner, Paul Nebel and Dominik Kohr) and yet nearly pulled a sensational win.

Even if Bayern lost this game, it would mean nothing in the Bundesliga race, as their ‘rivals’ Leipzig and Dortmund lost and drew, but it would be a bit embarrassing. Mainz also plays in Europe due to their good position in liga last season, and they were tired too, but showed no fatigue and played excellent. Vincent Kompany made some rotations, but still kept his offensive players in the starting 11: Kane, Karl, Olise, Gnabry and they all missed chanced throughout the match. After the opening goal they kept pushing, but in the last-minute Mainz surprised them with an equalizer.

What was more shocking was the complete turnover in the 67th minute after a great chance and it was not until Potulski, the same player who scored the first goal, pulled Kane from behind and conceded a penalty. Bayern took that lifeline and equalized, but couldn’t come up with a winner even after seven minutes of injury time.

BUNDESLIGA - ROUND 14

Friday

Union Berlin - RB Leipzig 3-1 (0-0)

/Burke 57, Ansah 63, Skarke 90+3 -Gomis 60/

Saturday

Eintracht Frankfurt - Augsburg 1-0 (0-0)

/Doan 68/

Hoffenheim - Hamburger 4-1 (2-0)

/Promel 8, Kabak 31, Lemperle 65, Asllani 72 - Philippe 82/

M'gladbach - Wolfsburg 1-3 (1-3)

/Koulierakis 22 og - Wimmer 4, 34, Amoura 30/

St. Pauli - Heidenheim 2-1 (1-0)

/Kaars 35,53 - Pieringer 64/

Leverkusen - Koln 2-0 (0-0)

/Terrier 66, Andrich 72/

Sunday

Freiburg - Dortmund 1-1 (0-1)

/Holer 75 - Bensebaini 31/

Bayern - Mainz 2-2 (1-1)

/Karl 29, Kane 87(p) - Potulski 45+2, Lee 67/

21.30: (3.00) Werder (3.80) Stuttgart (2.30)

*** odds are subject to change ***