Bayern Munich dominated the game against 1.FSV Mainz 05, but however failed to convert that dominance into goals. Mainz pounced on the rare opportunities that they managed to create and bamboozled the Bavarians at home to return with a deserved draw. Without further ado, here are the match awards from this fixture.
Jersey Swap — Kacper Potulski
You have to give it to Mainz’s 18-year-old defender. What a show he put up. Aside from scoring a wonderful goal to register Mainz’s opener, Potulski had an immense contribution to restricting
Bayern to just two goals. His positioning and marking were top notch for his age. He had crucial blocks right in front of goal which stopped the scoreline from going 4 or higher in favor of Bayern. Harry Kane was mostly shut down thanks to Potulski but for one moment where the experience of the wily Kane outsmarted the teen to draw a slick penalty.
Coming to his goal from the corner, he managed to sneak past the Bayern defenders and found himself free in front of goal and headed a clean shot to the back of Manuel Neuer’s net. An incredible way to score your first Bundesliga goal, in Munich, against Bayern and Neuer!
Der Kaiser — Josip Stanišić
The Bayern defence were hit and miss against Mainz. While they were doing a decent job, they fumbled when it came to the most dangerous moments. Potulski’s goal came from his free run and Stanisic was caught ball watching the second goal from Lee.
However, this award is for the effectiveness of Stani at right-back. He may not run like Laimer, but he is his best at right-back. The sync with the attackers is remarkable. At one point he feigned a backheel touch just outside of the box. That shows how good he can be at his most comfortable position. Four duels won, 12 passes into the final third and a 95 percent pass rate, a solid shift back at RB after a lengthy stint at left-back by Stani.
Fußballgott— Joshua Kimmich
Just rinse and repeat for the Bayern midfield maestro. Rotating the ball, absorbing pressure, dictating the pace and making a few saucy defense-splitting passes, Kimmich is the undisputed candidate for Fußballgott. Three chances created and 36 passes into the final third demonstrates the power of Kimmich to drive Bayern’s directness.
Der Bomber — Lennart Karl
His blasted shot to score the first goal was amazing to watch. Karl put away Gnabry’s pass to score Bayern’s opener. However, Karl missed out Meister only due to missing his shot that could have been Bayern’s equalizer or potential winner. The Bavarian teen sensation was once again putting up a great display at the number 10 position.
While Gnabry has been excellent in gelling the attackers superbly by finding great passes, Karl’s style is slightly different. Lenny was great in receiving passes in incredibly tight spots. Almost every time he picked the ball in and around the box it seemed impossible how he could stay in possession in that position. Karl was not registered to be dispossessed at all by Mainz and this comes from having 8 touches in the box.
Karl’s expected assists of 0.36 at CAM vs Gnabry’s expected assist of 0.87 despite playing at LM shows this difference in their styles of carrying out their CAM duties. So, this basically means that Karl has been more of a second striker than an out and out creator that Gnabry has reshaped himself into. Apart from this, Karl’s energy and work ethic also deserves appreciation, the kid is willing to go all out Laimer and win the ball back if he has to. A great addition to the Bayern’s press.
Meister of the Match — Harry Kane
Harry Kane was quiet for most of the game. However, he picks this award up for doing one thing and one thing only to perfection. He rescued Bayern’s unbeaten record when the team needed it. After going down 1-2, Vincent Kompany fielded nearly every attacker available to overload Mainz. While it seemed that Bayern were always on the edge of a goal, it never seemed to manifest. Mainz deserves a lot of credit for that as do the Bayern attackers for some poor decision making and execution in the final third.
Cut to the HurriKane who used his vast experience in the Premier League to execute a penalty draw to perfection against the young Potulski. Kacper Potulski was rather too keen to ensure Kane was always in sight and had his hand over the Bayern striker’s shoulder when a pass was played into the Mainz box. Sensing the defender’s grasp which did not seem too strong to stop him if he really wanted to get away, Kane picked a different trick in his book. Pivoting his weight around his shoulder, Kane fell to the ground just as he started his run. And with Potulski’s hand outstretched around his shoulder, the ref blew for the pen straightaway. It was an amazing penalty draw, you just cannot not give the pen even if Kane told you it was a well-executed trick.
The penalty itself was taken to perfection to find the side netting and ensure that Bayern remain undefeated. And for that clutch display, Kane deserves the MOTM. Apart from Kane had a blistering scissor kick that would have been a wonderful goal if not for the block by Potulski.
Bonus Award — Best Hairstyle — Cornrow Gnabry
Been liking this hairdo of Serge Gnabry. Very clean and very aesthetic from several angles, what do you guys think? Do let us know in the comments below regarding your take on the awards, especially your favorite Hairstyle.
