Bayern Munich moved one step closer to reclaiming the Bundesliga crown with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mainz, in a game that held special significance for Thomas Müller.
The champions-elect made two changes from their emphatic 4-0 win over Heidenheim the previous weekend, with Josip Stanišić and Leroy Sané returning to the starting lineup.
Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen also shuffled his pack, recalling Phillipp Mwene, Andreas Hanche-Olsen, and Paul Nebel.
Bayern started brightly, and it was Sané who fashioned the first major chance inside 10 minutes.
Jonathan Burkardt proved to be Mainz’s main threat early on, while Stanišić, linking up well with Sané, almost opened the scoring for the hosts.
Meanwhile, news filtered through that title rivals Bayer Leverkusen had taken the lead against Augsburg, prompting Bayern to raise their intensity.
Sané, currently in talks to extend his stay in Munich, played a crucial role when the breakthrough finally arrived.
Following a collision involving Sané that forced Anthony Caci to seek treatment, Bayern capitalized before Henriksen could make a substitution. Sané struck with a clinical finish to give the Bavarians the lead.
Bayern’s No. 10 celebrated reaching double digits in Bundesliga goals for the first time in his career.
Shortly before the interval, Michael Olise continued his outstanding season by grabbing his 20th direct goal involvement, firing a brilliant effort past the near post to double Bayern’s advantage.
A commanding 2-0 half-time lead placed Bayern in a strong position to secure the league title next week, although they will have to do so without Harry Kane.
The league’s top scorer picked up his fifth yellow card of the season just before the break, ruling him out of the trip to Leipzig.
Sané nearly grabbed a second goal early in the second half, rattling the woodwork with a fierce strike. With 20 minutes remaining, Mainz were momentarily reduced to 10 men when Danny Da Costa received a straight red card for a foul on Sané.
However, VAR intervened and the decision was overturned, with replays showing that Sané was just marginally offside.
The lively Sané and Olise continued to create chances, but Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner put in an inspired second-half performance to limit the damage.
Nevertheless, Bayern found a third goal in the 84th minute when Eric Dier headed home from an Olise corner.
There were memorable moments for two Bayern players late in the game. Club legend Thomas Müller was introduced to make his 500th Bundesliga appearance, a landmark achievement for the Rekordmeister stalwart.
In contrast, teenage striker Jonah Kusi-Asare made his Bundesliga debut, offering fans a glimpse of the future.
Bayern now stand on the verge of another title and can wrap it up with a victory in Leipzig next week.
As for Mainz, their winless streak stretched to six matches, slipping them further away from Champions League contention.
