Bayern Munich suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Bundesliga strugglers FSV Mainz 05 on Sunday, a result which leaves the Bavarians third in the table, with champions Borussia Dortmund top for the first time this season.
Having lost 1-0 at home to Dortmund on Saturday last week, Jupp Heynckes’ men were beaten again, their defense struggling to cope with a Mainz side who were not intimidated by the German record champions.
“We made it easy for them, there is no doubt they’re fighting to stay away from the relegation zone,” Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said. “Generally speaking, we are normally the better team, but if you don’t put in the necessary effort, that is what happens.”
The win was no more than the hosts deserved after Bayern repeatedly surrendered possession in midfield, where they are missing the calming influence of injured star Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is nursing a broken collarbone.
Mainz were rewarded when Austrian midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz struck after just 11 minutes.
Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten equalized on 56 minutes, but Mainz were not to be denied a win which lifts them to 13th as midfielder Marco Caligiuri and defender Niko Bungert scored to put the hosts 3-1 up.
Van Buyten scored his second header to make it 3-2 with 11 minutes left to set up a tense finale, but Mainz held on.
“You can make a plan and tell the team, but the players have to believe in it and make it work,” Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel said. “We didn’t allow Bayern many opportunities and we deserved this win.”
Bayern director of sport Christian Nerlinger admitted his side had lost their way, despite qualifying for the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
“We have lost two of our last three games, which obviously has consequences on the league table,” he said.
“Things aren’t running as smoothly as they were, but I’m confident we’ll win our remaining league games before Christmas,” Nerlinger said.
Bayern’s defeat sees them slip to third, with Dortmund seizing the top spot in the wake of their 2-0 win over Schalke in the Ruhr derby on Saturday.
Borussia Moenchengladbach are second on goal difference after their 3-0 win at Cologne on Friday, with Bayern a point back in third and Werder Bremen, who enjoyed a 2-0 win at home over VfB Stuttgart, fourth on 26 points.
Dortmund now travel to ‘Gladbach on Saturday, while Bayern host Bremen, in what is shaping up to be another massive weekend in an increasingly fascinating title race.
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