Flick praises Mainz after Bayern defeat

Bayern Munich head coach, Hansi Flick believes his charges were not at their best even as he praised Mainz 05 as the champions slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the Opel Arena.

Jonathan Burkardt netted on three minutes before Robin Quaison added a goal scoring contribution to put the hosts firmly in the box seat before the interval.

Robert Lewandowski scored a late consolation for Bayern who never really stirred from hibernation against the fired up Mainz side.

“This team has often shown its quality, a defeat like today happens,” Flick said in his post-match comments. “It’s a pity we couldn’t take the final step today. But you have to understand that the team is tired. Today we were too harmless.

“First of all, we have to pay Mainz a huge compliment. They did very well, were very compact and defended their goal brilliantly. In the first half we didn’t do things the way we imagined, it wasn’t a good game.”

“We came in better in the second half. But the players have too many minutes in their legs. We just weren’t strong enough today.  “We want to win every game, and that was the case today too.  We didn’t perform well, we have to accept that.”

A win for Bayern on Saturday could have seen them being crowned champions but Flick is confident his side will eventually get their noses over the line.

“We have to do our job now. The fifth star is our big goal, then we can celebrate together. I would also like to thank the club again. That’s why I really want to win the Bundesliga title – and then celebrate together.”

Bayern have now amassed 71 points from 31 matches and need one more victory to seal yet another Bundesliga title.