Bayern Munich came from behind to secure a stunning 4-3 victory over Mainz 05 at the MEWA Arena on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
Despite already being crowned champions, Bayern showed remarkable hunger and intensity, underlining their relentless mentality and reminding everyone why they sit at the summit.
Vincent Kompany rotated his squad, handing a start to Bara Sapoko Ndiaye, who made his first appearance in the starting XI since joining the club.
Mainz had looked destined for relegation earlier in the season, but the arrival of Urs Fischer transformed their fortunes, making them defensively compact and lifting them into mid-table.
After a cautious opening, Mainz struck first through Dominik Kohr, who finished brilliantly on the volley after a precise delivery from Kaishu Sano.
The hosts nearly doubled their lead moments later when Sheraldo Becker tested Jonas Urbig from a tight angle, before Nadiem Amiri fired the rebound straight at the goalkeeper.
Mainz did get their second goal soon after, as Sano drove through midfield during a counter attack, Amiri’s effort was parried, and Paul Nebel reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.
Bayern had a rare sight of goal late in the half, with Alphonso Davies firing just wide from close range, but Mainz struck again before the break when Amiri’s powerful shot hit the woodwork, allowing Sheraldo Becker to tap in and make it 3-0.
Kompany reacted decisively at half-time, introducing Michael Olise and Harry Kane to spark a comeback.
Nicolas Jackson had an early opportunity after the restart but was denied from a tight angle, although he soon made amends in the 53rd minute by volleying home from a cross delivered by Konrad Laimer.
Jamal Musiala came close with a powerful strike that narrowly missed the target, as Bayern began to assert control.
The momentum continued in the 73rd minute when Michael Olise cut inside and curled a superb effort into the far corner to reduce the deficit to 3-2, reigniting belief for the visitors.
Seven minutes later, Jamal Musiala combined brilliantly with Olise, finishing from close range after a teasing delivery to bring Bayern level at 3-3.
The turnaround was completed when Harry Kane capitalised on a defensive error, scoring from close range after Musiala’s initial effort was not properly cleared, sealing a dramatic comeback.
At full-time, Bayern celebrated emphatically, a rare sight this season despite their title triumph, highlighting the significance of the comeback.
Urbig – 6, Laimer – 6, Kim – 6, Itō – 6, Davies – 7, Pavlović – 6, Goretzka – 7, Guerreiro – 5, Ndiaye – 6, Díaz – 6, Jackson – 7.