Mainz 05 Upsets Bayern Munich 2-1, Threatening Bavarians' Bundesliga Lead

Mainz 05 delivered a significant blow to Bayern Munich's Bundesliga campaign, securing a 2-1 victory that marked Bayern's first league loss of the season. This result narrows Bayern's lead at the top of the table to four points.

The match began with Bayern applying intense pressure, evidenced by an early chance in the 7th minute when Michael Olise's shot struck the post. However, Mainz capitalized on defensive errors, breaking the deadlock in the 41st minute. A series of mistakes culminated in Lee Jae-sung finding the net, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Bayern introduced Leon Goretzka and Sacha Boey to regain control. Despite these changes, Mainz doubled their advantage in the 60th minute. Armindo Sieb's cross found Lee Jae-sung, who executed a precise turn and shot, with a deflection off Joshua Kimmich aiding the ball past goalkeeper Peretz.

Bayern struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, managing their first shot on target in the 87th minute. Leroy Sané capitalized on a defensive error to score, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Despite late efforts, Bayern couldn't find an equalizer, resulting in their first Bundesliga defeat under coach Vincent Kompany.

This loss, combined with Bayer Leverkusen's 2-0 win over FC Augsburg, narrows Bayern's lead to four points. The Bundesliga title race intensifies as the winter break approaches, with Bayern needing to regroup ahead of their next fixture against RB Leipzig.