Mario Götze shines as Bayern Munch downs Mainz 2-0

This match meant nothing to either side. Bayern Munich were crowned champions a month ago. Mainz 05 will finish in mid-table with no chance at Europe, this game was simply an exercise in whiling away the 90 minutes before Bayern could celebrate with a beer shower.

Bayern enjoyed nearly three-quarters of the possession in the first half, their midfield and backline content to push play up the wings, leaving Mainz's powerful midfield in the dark. Without Shinji Okazaki, Mainz were often stuck deep in their own half and Daniel Brosinki was a poor reliever of pressure. Despite all that pressure, Bayern were unable to generate any breaks into the Mainz penalty box. It took a set piece to break the Mainz defense.

Bayern found the breakthrough in the 25th minute though as a Bastian Schweinsteiger header hit the outstretched arm of Mainz defender, Nico Bungert. Thirsten Kinhöfer immediately pointed to the spot as everyone in the stadium recognized the blatant handball, including all of Bungert's Mainz teammates.

Bayern doubled their lead in the 48th minute after a longball out of the back from Jerome Boateng bypassed the entire Mainz defense. Robert Lewandowski controlled before tapping the ball to Bastian Schweinsteiger who thundered home from 15 yards.

Shortly after there was a scare at the opposite end as Pablo de Blasis ghosted in off the shoulder of Boateng on a long ball from Loris Karius, easily picking up the ball moving through the Bayern Munich backline. With De Blasis barring down on Manuel Neuer, it took a last second desperationpoke from Boateng to ruin De Blasis' chance before Manuel Neuer scooped the danger clear.

While the additions of Mitchell Weiser and Claudio Pizarro had relatively little impact on the game, it was the intriduction of Sebastian Rode that livened what had otherwise been a dull affair. Rode and Lahm easily shifted play from left to right, stretching the Mainz midfield and defense. That lateral shifting opened room on both sides as Mario Götze ran riot through the Mainz midfield. He repeatedly put Bayern through on goal in the second half yet some brilliant play from Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius kept Bayern from adding to their lead.

At 90 minutes the whistle sounded, and the Paulaner showers began.

Match Details

Bayern Munich (x-x) Mainz 05 | Allianz Arena
Bayern: Lewandowski (25'), Schweinsteiger (48')
Mainz 05: None

Bayern XI: Neuer – Rafinha, Boateng, Dante, Bernat – Alonso (Rode 54'), Lahm, Schweinsteiger - Götze, Müller (Weiser 45') - Lewandowski (Pizarro 73')

Mainz 05 XI: Karius - Bengtsson, Nikolce Noveski, Nico Bungert, Stefan Bell - Baumgarliner, Geis (Moritz 83') - Samperio, Malli (Clemens 71'), Brosinski (Okazaki 52') - Pablo De Blasis

Instant Analysis

• This was Mario Götze's best game in a Bayern uniform in months. He rotated underneath the striker, hugged the left touchline and stretched play, and combined well with Bastian Schweinsteiger. He put Pizarro through on goal with a nifty two-touch then nutmegged cross which is a move we haven't seen Götze pull in many months. It's a shame the season ends because it would be interesting to see if this is the beginning of a resurgence of form, or if it's just a blip in an otherwise poor season from Götze.
• Bastian Schweinsteiger was back and as good as ever in this match. Pushing high up from the midfield, he constantly pushed alongside Lewandowski adding pressure to a Mainz midfield being harassed by Mario Götze. This was another example in an evolving role from Schweinsteiger. Now drifting wide left and combining with the wide midfielder and wingback, Schweinsteiger's slowly becoming more and more like a carillero rather than the hub of Bayern Munich's entire attack.