Patience pays off for Bayern

3 February 2013 01:36

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has lauded his team's patient approach after they claimed a 3-0 victory away to Mainz.

The Bundesliga leaders headed to Mainz on Saturday knowing it would be a tough clash as the home side had not lost in four games across all competitions.

Having risen to fifth spot in Germany's top flight, Mainz hosted Bayern keen to tighten their hold on one of the Bundesliga's Europa League berths but the Bavarian giants ground the home side down with two second-half goals from Mario Mandzukic wrapping up the victory.

"We knew what was coming, an aggressive team which defends from the front and also plays tough sometimes but we adjusted well to that," Lahm said after Bayern extended their unbeaten Bundesliga run to 11 games.

"We knew that it would be difficult to get scoring opportunities in the first half an hour but we played patiently and went 1-0 up at the right time."

Thomas Mueller gave Bayern the lead in the 41st minute before Mandzukic struck twice in the opening 12 minutes after half-time.

Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger claimed Mainz could not keep up after the break.

"The first goal by Thomas was very important but we played well," Schweinsteiger said.

"We let the game flow but so did the opponent.

"You saw in the second half, the opponent sometimes couldn't play the pass, because all the running was very exhausting for them in the first half.

"We used that and also showed that you can score when you have more space."

Bayern's victory sees them move to 51 points, 14 clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.