Bayern Held as Mainz Fight Back, While Stuttgart Crush Bremen in a Ruthless Bundesliga Double Header

Bayern Munich entered the Allianz Arena expecting to close the first half of their campaign with another routine win, but Mainz had other plans under new coach Urs Fischer. Despite Bayern enjoying almost total control of possession in the opening half, the visitors struck with remarkable efficiency and punished every lapse.

Bayern made the brighter start and were rewarded when Lennart Karl arrived at the right moment to tuck home from close range after good link play involving Olise, Kane and Gnabry. The hosts had flooded the Mainz penalty area from the start and seemed poised to run away with the game. But Mainz refused to be swept aside.

Their equaliser, coming with the final touch of the half, stunned the Allianz Arena. Boving whipped an outstanding free kick to the far post, catching Bayern flat-footed as Potulski ghosted in unmarked to nod past Neuer. It was a sucker punch that Bayern never saw coming.

The shock continued in the second half. With Bayern still dominating territory, Bell stepped forward and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box. Lee timed his run perfectly and guided a header beyond Neuer to give Mainz a 2-1 lead. It was Mainz’s only real chance after the break, yet they made it count with clinical quality.

Bayern threw everything forward and finally earned a lifeline three minutes from time when Kane was pulled down inside the area. The striker stepped up calmly and sent the keeper the wrong way, extending his scoring streak and rescuing a point. But despite piling up over four expected goals, Bayern could not find a winner, and Mainz celebrated a morale-boosting draw even as they remained bottom of the table.

While Bayern stumbled, Stuttgart delivered one of the most dominant away performances of the season. At the Weserstadion, they dismantled Werder Bremen 4-0 with a display built on precision, power and relentless attacking intent.

El Khannouss opened the scoring with a fine header after a superb cross from Leweling, who was outstanding throughout. Moments later, Leweling turned scorer, unleashing a driven shot from range that flew into the roof of the net to make it two before halftime.

Bremen attempted to regroup but their task became impossible after Coulibaly received a second yellow card shortly before the hour mark. Reduced to ten men and pinned deep by Stuttgart’s high tempo, they were overrun repeatedly.

Undav, who had already threatened multiple times, finally struck with a crisp finish into the top corner after excellent work from Leweling, extending Stuttgart’s advantage to three. The visitors were not done. Deep in stoppage time, Mittelstadt squared the ball inside the box for Fuhrich, who buried a clean left-footed strike to complete the rout.

Stuttgart’s dominance was total. They created chances at will, controlled midfield, and forced Bremen’s goalkeeper Backhaus into several desperate saves. The hosts rarely threatened and left the pitch to a chorus of frustration, while Stuttgart strengthened their position near the Bundesliga summit.

With Bayern dropping points and Stuttgart rising, the title race and top-four chase both gained new intrigue. Fischer’s Mainz showed resilience rarely seen this season, while Stuttgart reminded the league of the growing confidence and sharpness in their ranks.