Bayern win in Mainz – warning for the second half – Süddeutsche.de

• Bayern needed in the final first round match against Mainz happiness: only by a very late goal from Arjen Robben to secure the Munich a scarce. 2: 1 victory
• Despite unconvincing performance will but those responsible refrain from criticism. Only Robben warns of difficulties after the winter break.

By Frank Hellmann

Whether the clever makers from Mainz stadium magazine since had a prophetic gift? “The best in the end” was the title of the 84-page publication. Had they known how the guest from Munich will play in the Arena on Europakreisel on Friday night, another headline would have been appropriate: “The best for last”. Even sporting director Matthias Sammer admitted after a “We were glad that it is not. 2: 1 stood for Mainz That it ran so makes us happy.”

The moment of happiness, of the Munich the last minute -Tor to somehow flattering 2: 1 (1: 1) gave victory to the brave people of Mainz, was the last of a dozen Munich shots on goal back: To advance the strong Juan Bernat Arjen Robben enforced fairly unmolested and knew afterwards that these early mess had not necessarily indicated: “We have the first-half did not play well, far too many mistakes.”

Robben complained that the gaps in midfield were much too large and the combination of flow partially complete halt lay. “I have more balls with my head touches than with my feet -.. This is not good, we have to play better football”

“The Franck was a gentleman”

But if the Munich rely just before the end on a bit of luck, no one has had something about it. Even victories along old lines are allowed. “That was an outstanding moment so close to the end,” said Manuel Neuer, “we had to invest a lot in this game.” Or, as his coach Pep Guardiola added: “At the end we were the happier team, but we also have more faith in the victory as the enemy.”

However, it got stuck there for long, where normally the Munich powerhouse to is found, the central distribution station in midfield. Although the talented Emile Hoejbjerg again showed a lot of good ideas, but allowed himself the fatal bad pass in front of the 0: 1 (22). And that the returned Bastian Schweinsteiger can not radiate World Champion presence and dynamics goes without saying.

Later 2: 1 victory in Mainz Bayern never gets enough

Arjen Robben brings with his goal in the 90th minute Bayern a lucky win in Mainz. The champions doing a long hard against a courageous home team. Even Manuel Neuer makes the 0: 1 not a good figure. game

After narrowly the leader of perfect form the ball free kick to compensate for the angle (24). Schweinsteiger later revealed that he had left Franck Ribery precedence in the execution: “The Franck was a gentleman and said: ‘Then make a goal.’ It worked. ” His brother Tobias immediately tweeted: “As in the past on the playing field only in the top corner it counts!”. For chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the first goal of the season for the 30-year-old was the first sign: “I wish that he again reached full capacity in the second half.”

Speaking of second round: This could be noisy seals the his most important lesson from the game in Mainz. “It was a difficult game and a clear indication of what to expect. It’s not just happen,” warned the 30-year-old. “I think this game was a good example of what awaits us next year.”

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In ten missing professionals Bayern could not show wear and tear from start to finish conceal, and goalkeeper Neuer not really looked good, as Elkin Soto the ball fired him from close range, but an acute angle through the open legs, the 28-year-old knew himself.

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But five days before Christmas Eve and mindful of the outstanding balance in all competitions, there was no evening to raise individual criticism. Coach Guardiola consider rather the big picture. A definite “No” was his answer to the question of whether he would have thought in the summer, in the Bundesliga with 45 of 51 possible points and a goal difference of 41 famous: 4 to hibernate. “After the World Cup, it is always hard. But we have shown mentality and quality.”

With the first round balance, the Catalan summoned mild smiling, he was “very, very pleased.” Now one should wait for the second half – then when the trophies are distributed. By Friday evening, the off-duty time began with the Bavarians, who ask on 7 January to start training. In two buses, the convoy drove at night to saturday back to Munich. Except for those who started the same as Dante or Rafinha in the home from Frankfurt Airport. “The long vacation is exactly what we need. We had the maximum number of games. The break comes at the right time,” said Robben, grinned and said farewell with best wishes.