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Bundesliga
May 23, 2015 at 2.30pm UK
 
Mainz logo

2-0

Lewandowski (25' pen.), Schweinsteiger (48')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Live Commentary: Bayern Munich 2-0 Mainz 05 - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Mainz 05 as the German champions end a three-match losing run.
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Bayern Munich ended their Bundesliga season by claiming a 2-0 victory over Mainz 05 at the Allianz Arena this afternoon.

Pep Guardiola's side dominated from the start and Robert Lewandowski gave them the lead from the penalty spot.

Bastian Schweinsteiger curled in a second goal shortly after the break to wrap up the points and end his side's three-game winless run in the league.

Find out how the action unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.


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Good afternoon everyone! It's the final day of the Bundesliga season and what better way to spend it than with the champions Bayern Munich, who welcome Mainz 05 to the Allianz Arena. The action gets underway in an hour and we'll have every minute of it covered for you live.

Bayern have enjoyed another successful season and they have barely broken a sweat on their way to a third straight Bundesliga title. However, since being confirmed as champions, they have lost all of their league games and have been knocked out of Europe and the German cup.

Pep Guardiola will be hoping that his team can bounce back and end their season on a high against a Mainz side who have had a decent campaign and are set for a respectable mid-table finish. A win might even propel them up to seventh place, but they can safely plan for another season in the top flight.

TEAM NEWS:

BAYERN MUNICH XI: Neuer, Dante, Rafinha, Boateng, Bernat, Lahm, Alonso, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Gotze, Lewandowski

MAINZ XI: Karius, Bell, Bungert, Noveski, Bengtsson, Geis, Baumgartlinger, Brosinski, Jairo, Malli, De Blasis


So, that's how our teams are looking this afternoon. Bayern are still without the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and David Alaba through injury, but they are able to name a formidable lineup, with Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski all starting in the attack.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm are further back in the midfield, while there is a start for Jerome Boateng, who was involved in a training-ground bust-up with his teammate Lewandowski earlier this week. Claudio Pizarro is also on the bench and he could make his last appearance for Bayern, with his contract up in the summer.

Meanwhile, Mainz's top scorer Shinji Okazaki is named on the bench, with Pablo De Blasis chosen instead to the lead the attack. There is also a return for Daniel Brosinski, who is back in the side following his recent suspension.

Well, it certainly has been a great campaign for Bayern, who have never looked in trouble of defending their Bundesliga crown. They started the season on fire and had already racked up an 11-point lead at the top before the winter break.

Bayern Munich's midfielder Thomas Mueller (2nd R) celebrates scoring with his team-mates during the UEFA Champions League second-leg quarter-final football match Bayern Munich v FC Porto in Munich, southern Germany on April 21, 2015© Getty Images


Upon their return to action in January they saw their unbeaten run sensationally ended in a 4-1 defeat to Wolfsburg, but that did little to stop them and they quickly got back to form by winning six of the next seven games to re-establish their dominant lead.

They lost just one more game until they were finally confirmed as champions at the end of April, but instead of giving them a huge boost in confidence, they look to have massively taken their foot of the gas and they have been punished.

Just days after sealing the title, they were knocked out at the semi-final stage of the German Cup by Borussia Dortmund, after a penalty shootout in which they failed to find the net. A run of three league defeats has followed, with struggling Freiburg beating them last weekend.

It's not just their domestic form that has suffered, as they fell to Barcelona in the last four of the Champions League. The first leg at Camp Nou was going well for them, until Lionel Messi inspired the La Liga giants to a a 3-0 win late on. They did restore some measure of pride by winning 3-2 in the return meeting, but by then the damage was already done.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona vs FC Bayern Muenchen at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 6, 2015© Getty Images


That victory was their only win in the last six games and they will surely not want to bow out with another defeat, especially with the title celebrations to follow after the final whistle. Another loss could also lead to more speculation about the future of Pep Guardiola and many of his players, but you would expect transfer rumours to continue regardless of the outcome.

Making the trip to the Allianz Arena today are a Mainz side who are 10th in the table after a solid campaign overall. They started their season by going unbeaten for the opening eight league matches, before going winless in the next nine games. Since then their form has been mixed, but they are fishing strongly, with three wins from their last five outings.

Depending on how results go today, they could end up finishing as high as seventh or as low as 12th, which just sums up how tight it has been in the middle of the Bundesliga this season. However, there is no chance of them returning to the Europa League, which is where they began their season back in July, with a third qualifying round exit at the hands of Asteras.

These teams last met just before Christmas and it was Bayern who came out on top. Mainz had actually taken the lead through Elkin Soto's strike, but a free kick minutes later from Bastian Schweinsteiger levelled the scores. Arjen Robben then scored the winning goal in the final minute to seal the points for Bayern and extend their winning run at the time to eight games.

Mainz' Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki (L) and Bayern Munich's Brazilian defender Dante vie for the ball during the German First division Bundesliga football match on December 19, 2014© Getty Images


That victory made it five wins on the spin for Bayern against Mainz, with their last defeat to this afternoon's opponents coming in November 2011. Mainz have actually won just three of their last 18 games against Bayern, with 12 of those games ending in defeats.

PREDICTION: Bayern have been poor recently, but they are sure to turn on the style today and end the season with a flourish. They should have far too much quality for their opponents, so I'm going to tip them to claim a 3-0 victory this afternoon.

There really is a great atmosphere in the Allianz Arena and the party is only just getting started. At the moment, Bayern are welcoming out a number of their former greats to huge cheers from the crowd, with Oliver Kahn and Owen Hargreaves among those who are getting involved in the celebrations.

Here's how things are looking right now in Munich, with the start of today's match now just a few minutes away.



We will probably be waiting just slightly longer for the kick off, as the legends have just left the pitch, with Bayern and Mainz now making their way of the tunnel.

KICKOFF! We are underway at the Allianz Arena!

As you would expect, Bayern have seen all of the ball in the opening minutes of the match, but they have yet to put their opponents under any pressure, with neither keeper called into action just yet.

CHANCE! First opening of the match for Bayern, as Muller gets in down the right and lifts a cross back into the middle. Lahm is there to meet it and powers in a header, but his effort is straight into the gloves of the keeper.

Still not really too much to get excited about on the pitch, with Bayern controlling possession and Mainz trying their best to get a foot on the ball. Lahm's header is the only attempt on goal so far, with the visitors looking solid in these early minutes.

Almost a moment of brilliance from Bayern, as Schweinsteiger charges through the midfield and then chips a pass over the top looking for Muller. However, his final ball is just too long and Karius rushes off his line to cut out the attack.

Bayern are just starting to crank up the pressure and Lewandowski breaks free of the defence before beating the keeper to a long ball and heading over the bar. He was caught in the face by Karius after making contact with the ball, but he is quickly back on his feet and able to continue.

It does look like a goal is coming and I will be surprised if Bayern don't score at least once before half time. They are camped inside the Mainz half and they have put together some superb passing moves, yet the finishing touch is just lacking.

For visiting teams like Mainz, it must be so hard to play the entire match seeing barely any of the ball. Bayern have racked up nearly 80% of the possession in this first half and anytime the visitors get it clear, it is coming right back at them straight away.

SAVE! Boateng hasn't found the net in the league this season, but he almost scores a great goal here. Mainz clear the ball to him just outside the box and he looks to curl a low strike into the bottom corner, but it is tipped behind by the fingertips of Karius.

GOAL! Bayern Munich 1-0 Mainz (Robert Lewandowski)

A goal has been coming for quite a while and finally Bayern have broken the deadlock. The hosts were awarded a penalty when Bungert handled Schweinsteiger's header inside the box and Lewandowski stepped up to fire home the resulting spot kick. It has taken the Pole's tally for the season to 17 league goals and he is now two away from moving level with top scorer Alexander Meier.

That goal will come as a huge boost to Bayern, after their recent losing run in the league. You would expect them to add two or three more now and really end this season on the high note that it deserves.

Bayern almost work an opening when Alonso delivers a free kick to the back post looking for Schweinsteiger, but before he could get there the ball was just touched behind for a corner. They are unable to make anything of the resulting set piece, but they always look just a moment away from grabbing another goal.

It's taken a while, but Mainz have had their first shot on goal of the afternoon. Geis is the man with the strike, as he lashes in an effort from range, but it is at a comfortable height for Neuer and the keeper easily saves it.

CLOSE! Bayern really should be two goals ahead, as Dante misses a huge chance to score. The defender gets on the end of Alonso's wonderful free kick into the box, but he doesn't make clean contact with the ball and sends it inches wide of the far post, with Karius left stranded.

CHANCE! For the first time in the match the visitors are getting more players forward with each attack and they are putting Bayern under a bit of pressure. They even come close to grabbing a goal, as Malli makes a well-timed run into the box to meet a cross from the right, but he completely misses his header and the ball ends up flashing harmlessly out of play.

PENALTY APPEAL! Bayern feel that they should have another penalty when Lewandowski goes down inside the box under pressure from Geis. The replays show that the Mainz player appeared to drag down the Pole, but it was not spotted by the referee.

Out of absolutely nothing, Mainz break quickly with De Blasis latching onto a ball over top. He then bursts towards the edge of the box, but Boateng gets back to shrug him of the ball and stop the attack. It was a great piece of defending from the German, who has had a tough time of it lately.

HALF-TIME: Bayern Munich 1-0 Mainz

No stoppage time is added on to the end of the half, with Bayern taking their lead into the break. Robert Lewandowski's penalty is the difference for the champions, who have completely dominated and are on course to end their winless run.

Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring with his team-mates during German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich vs 1 FSV Mainz 05 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany on May 23, 2015© Getty Images


Let's take a look at the statistics from the opening half. I'm sure that it will come as surprise to hear that Bayern have dominated the possession and they have seen a mammoth 78% of the ball. They have also had eight attempts on goal, compared to Mainz's three efforts, although Manuel Neuer has had little to worry about.

There's plenty of action going on in the Bundesliga this afternoon and you can catch live coverage of Borussia Dortmund's clash with Werder Bremen. It's Jurgen Klopp's final game as manager of the club and you can be sure that he will be a man in demand this summer.

Some Bayern fans must forget that there is a game going on today, as there are huge celebrations taking place once again on the pitch. Everyone is singing along at the moment and the club are rightly putting on a show for the 25-time record champions.

Mainz take the kick off and get us back underway in Munich!

SUBSTITUTION: Bayern have made a change at the start of this half, with Weiser coming on for Muller.

GOAL! Bayern Munich 2-0 Mainz (Bastian Schweinsteiger)

Bayern have taken just three minutes of the second half to extend their lead and it's Schweinsteiger who gets on the scoresheet. A long ball forward that was aimed for Lewandowski drops perfectly for the German midfielder on the edge of the box and he then bends a strike into the corner and out of the reach of Karius.

CHANCE! The visitors have just blown a huge opportunity to pull a goal back. Baumgartlinger is picked out inside the box and then looks to fire in a low effort, but he directs the ball straight at Neuer, who gratefully holds on.

SUBSTITUTION: First change of the match for the visitors, with Okazaki taking Brosinski's place in the attack.

SUBSTITUTION: It's a change for Bayern now, as Alonso heads off to be replaced by Rode.

CHANCE! Another big chance for Mainz as Malli races in behind the Bayern defence and finds himself through on goal. He can't quite get the ball out of his feet and tries to shift it past Neuer, but the keeper is quickly off his line to gather.

CHANCE! Bayern have been slightly more open at the back over the past few minutes, but they still look a threat every time they go forward. On this occasion Lewandowski almost gets his second of the game when he meets Bernat's cross at the back post, but his header ends up dropping just over the bar.

The hosts have just stepped it up again and they are piling forward in search of another goal. They are getting in down the flanks quite frequently, with their wide players delivering some great balls into the box.

We've just Pizarro warming up on the sidelines and he could be coming on very shortly. As I mentioned earlier he is out of contract this summer, so he could be making a farewell appearance if he is brought on.

The party is still going strong in the stands, but it is a little bit quiet on the pitch at the moment. There haven't been too many efforts on goal, with Rode curling the most recent attempt for Bayern high over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION: Second sub for the visitors, with Clemens coming on to replace Malli.

SUBSTITUTION: Bayern are also going to make their last change of the match, and indeed the season, as Pizarro comes on for Lewandowski.

CHANCE! Just seconds after coming on, Pizarro misses a huge chance to find the net for Bayern. The ball deflects through to him kindly and he looks like having the simple task of scoring, but Karius spreads himself well and makes a great block to deny the Peruvian.

SAVE! Down the other end of the pitch Mainz come close to a goal of their own as De Blasis is picked out inside the box, before swiveling on the ball and firing in a powerful strike. It looks headed for the top corner, but Neuer sticks out a big hand to turn it behind. He is just one clean sheet away from reaching a record of 20 in the league this season and he is certainly determined to make that happen.

SAVE! What a great stop this is by Karius. Gotze whips in a low ball across the box that is met by Pizarro, but the keeper is there to deny the striker once again.

Karius looks to have been taking notes from Neuer, as he rushes all the way to the halfway line to thump the ball clear, just as Schweinsteiger seemed to be through on goal. He has had an impressive game today and has certainly kept his side in with a slender chance for large periods.

SUBSTITUTION: Mainz are making their last change of the game, with Moritz coming on for Geis.

SAVE! Mainz really do have Karius to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable this afternoon. The keeper pulls of another important save to tip Bernat's low strike around the post, with Bayern unable to make anything from the resulting corner.

FULL-TIME: Bayern Munich 2-0 Mainz

It's all over at the Allianz Arena and Bayern have ended their season by picking up the three points this afternoon. They have stopped a run of three league games without a win and they can now celebrate their title success in style.

That's all for our coverage this afternoon. We've got plenty more live action for you this weekend, including the final day of the Premier League season tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Goodbye!

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Bayern Munich's midfielder Thomas Mueller (2nd R) celebrates scoring with his team-mates during the UEFA Champions League second-leg quarter-final football match Bayern Munich v FC Porto in Munich, southern Germany on April 21, 2015
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