Bayern Munich 2-2 Mainz: Five observations as Harry Kane scores from penalty | OneFootball

Bayern Munich moved nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table after earning a frustrating 2-2 draw against Mainz 05 on Sunday afternoon at the Allianz Arena. 

It was the battle between the top and the bottom of the league, and Bayern frustratingly dropped points at home for the first time this season.

Lennart Karl gave Bayern the lead inside the 30th minute, slotting home from close range.

Towards the end of the first half, Kacper Potulski headed in from William Boving’s free-kick to grab an unlikely equaliser.

Mainz took a shock lead when Stefan Bell chipped a brilliant pass into the path of Jae-sung Lee, who scored with a sublime header, leaving everyone stunned, including Manuel Neuer.

However, with three minutes of normal time remaining, Harry Kane was pulled over by Potulski in the box, and the English striker scored from the spot to make his 80th goal in the Bundesliga since he joined the club.

Here are five observations from the match.

(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Bayern waste chances

Vincent Kompany made a raft of changes to the side, but Bayern were still expected to win comfortably. It took them until the 20th minute to register a proper effort on goal, and it came through a brilliant effort from Lennart Karl. While they dominated possession (85%) and registered 11 shots on target, their poor finishing let them down. They created eight big chances with 4.50xG, and Kompany rightly pointed out after the game that they should have taken them.

Defence remains a major worry

Kompany started with Kim Min-jae and Hiroki Ito in defence.

Bayern have conceded in seven of their last eight matches. They have been conceding goals from set-pieces, and once again they did so against Mainz.

It is becoming a recurring problem and also underscores the importance of possibly signing a new centre-back, either in January or in the next summer transfer window.

Bayern need to make bold decisions on a few players

The likes of Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka are in the final years of their deals, and Bayern need to decide whether it makes sense to offer them new contracts.

Regular matchday observers will point out a huge difference in quality between Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka. Once again, Goreztka failed to make an impact, and Bayern looked much better when Pavlovic came on.

With Alphonso Davies back in the side, it is high time Kompany dropped Goretzka and used Tom Bischof regularly in midfield.

Gnabry probably deserves a contract extension, but he must stop wasting bucketloads of chances every game.

Lennart Karl is sensational

During the summer, Bayern had to make a big decision – whether to promote Karl to the first team or offer Thomas Müller a contract extension. They decided to keep faith in the youngster. The decision has been vindicated as Karl has grabbed his opportunities with both hands and has scored three Bundesliga goals already. He is fearless, and his movements on and off the ball are a joy to watch. The kid is special.

Thoughts on Josip Stanisic and Joshua Kimmich

Kimmich has been one of Bayern’s standout players this season, but he appears to need a breather. In some recent games, especially when Bayern are chasing, Kimmich’s decision-making has been poor, and he has played wayward passes, uncharacteristic of him.

Likewise, Stanisic is a utility player. He is primarily a right-back, but has done an impressive job playing on the left as well. When Davies came on, he played as a centre-back and could have done better in preventing Mainz’s second goal.