Mainz stun Bayern Munich

Mainz stun Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich's poor start to the Bundesliga season continued as they were beaten 2-1 by Mainz, leaving Louis van Gaal still searching for his first win since taking over in the summer.

Andreas Ivanschitz put Mainz ahead in the 25th minute before Aristide Bance doubled the lead in the 37th.

Bayern improved in the second half and got back into the game through an own goal from Nikolce Noveski but, despite their efforts, they were unable to find an equaliser, leaving them in the bottom half of the table with just two points from three matches.

Mainz came into the game still looking for their first win of the season, but so too were Bayern Munich.

In fact, the home side found themselves lying above the record German champions at kick-off and this appeared to give them confidence as they dominated the first half.

Tim Hoogland had their first chance in the eighth minute when he dribbled the ball past Holger Badstuber but shot, perhaps too early, wide of the post from 20 yards.

Mainz went ahead in the 25th minute with Ivanschitz scoring his first goal in German football, although Bayern goalkeeper Michael Rensing must accept some of the blame.

The Austrian's low shot towards the bottom corner was within Rensing's reach, but he only got a very weak hand to it and helped the ball into the back of the net.

Van Gaal did not wait long before realising he needed to alter something and he sent the young forward Thomas Muller on for Hamit Altintop, retreating Bastian Schweinsteiger from his ineffective support role into the midfield and playing with three strikers.

This just left them more susceptible in defence and Bance capitalised for his second goal in as many games.

He beat Daniel van Buyten in the air to head Florian Heller's right-wing cross past Rensing from eight yards out.

Van Gaal acted again to bring on a fourth striker in Ivica Olic, using his second substitution with still five minutes of the first half remaining.

A few choice words from the Dutchman during the interval appeared to do the trick as they reduced the arrears early in the second half thanks to an own goal from Noveski.

He headed Muller's cross into his own goal in the 47th minute to give Bayern hope.

Muller was growing in confidence and his 70th-minute shot tested Heinz Muller in the Mainz goal, but he was not going to be beaten then, nor was he going to be beaten in the 82nd minute when he dived on another Muller effort before Mario Gomez could follow up.