Bayern go top of the league

Bayern Munich produced a remarkable second half comeback as they came back from 2-0 down at half time to win 5-2 against Mainz.

Bayern starting the year right where they left off 🔝#BLMatchday pic.twitter.com/u0Xnr4d43N

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 3, 2021

First half

Leroy Sane came very close to giving Bayern the lead in the eighth minute after his shot was deflected towards goal by defender Jerry St. Juste but it was clawed off the line by goalkeeper Finn Dahmen.

Jonathan Burkardt gave the visitors the lead in the 32nd minute, racing through on goal and hammering a shot past Manuel Neuer.

It was the eighth consecutive game that Bayern have conceded the first goal in.

Robert Lewandowski was then denied by a sprawling save by Dahmen in the 35th minute. Alexander Hack made it 2-0 with a powerful header from Daniel Brosinski’s free kick.

Second half

Leon Goretzka and Niklas Sule were sent on at half time to help retrieve the game for the champions. Mainz almost made it three when Danny Latza’s shot was saved onto the post by Neuer.

However, Bayern responded and got a goal back five minutes after the restart when Joshua Kimmich nodded in from close range after an elaborate move starting with the German international.

The hosts were level five minutes later when Sane cut in from the right and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner.

Swedish striker Robin Quaison came inches away from putting Mainz in the lead after his thunderous shot came off the underside of the crossbar.

Hansi Flick’s side completed the comeback with 20 minutes to go. Thomas Muller’s downward header was chested down by Sule, who struck a shot that deflected into the goal.

Serge Gnabry was then upended in the box by Leandro Barreiro and Lewandowski made no mistake from the spot.

The Pole then volleyed in Muller’s cross to net his 19th league goal in just 13 games this season. He has scored three braces in a row in the Bundesliga.

New year, same Lewandowski 🔥#BLMatchday pic.twitter.com/2UNwI4rRir

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 3, 2021

What it means

Bayern are now unbeaten in 12 games in the Bundesliga.

Mainz are second bottom and have just one win and four points from 14 games. They are five points from safety.

The champions have claimed a league-high 18 points from losing positions in 2020/21.

Featured image: Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates. (Photo by ANDREAS GEBERT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)