BERLIN (Reuters) - Defending champions Bayern Munich take the lead in the Bundesliga after cruising 6-2 past hapless Mainz in the 12th round of Bundesliga on Saturday.
The German record champions started brightly on home soil as Sadio Mane teed up for Serge Gnabry, who made no mistake and tapped home the opener from close range in the fifth minute.
Bayern dictated the pace on the pitch, but Mainz responded well and came close through Karim Onisiwo and Jonathan Burkardt.
The hosts eventually turned their dominance into a two-goal lead as Jamal Musiala benefitted on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s good build-up work in the 28th minute.
Mainz remained unimpressed and rattled the woodwork in quick succession four minutes later through Burkardt and Lee Jae-sung.
Relentless Bayern made it three as Mane couldn’t convert a foul play penalty but beat Robin Zentner with the rebound from very close range.
The visitors had the golden chance to reduce the arrears before half time but Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich defused Burkhardt’s penalty.
However, Mainz made it 3-1 before the half-time whistle as Silvan Widmer turned in the subsequent corner in the injury time.
Mainz came out with its guns blazing after the restart, but Widmer failed to secure a brace despite a promising opportunity in the 49th minute.
Mainz’s chance was a wakeup call for the hosts, who pressed forward and created momentum as Choupo-Moting hit the crossbar before Mane curled the ball narrowly wide.
Mane remained in the thick of things as his pinpoint cross into the box allowed Leon Goretzka to head home the 4-1 lead at the hour mark.
The Bavarians were still not done with the scoring as joker Mathys Tel finished off a counterattack to extend the lead to 5-1.
The visitor’s resistance still wasn’t broken as Marcus Ingvartsen pulled one back after capitalizing on a moment of madness from Ulreich in the 82nd minute.
Bayern restored its four-goal lead though four minutes later as Choupo-Moting got his name on the scoreboards as well.
Elsewhere, Leipzig extended its unbeaten run to overall nine games after beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0.
Felix Nmecha’s brace paved the way for Wolfsburg’s 4-0 victory over bottom side Bochum.
Relegation threatened Stuttgart reaped vital points after coming from behind to beat Augsburg 2-1.