FC Bayern headed into the international break with a 2-1 road win against Mainz 05. But after the final whistle, it wasn’t just the German record champions’ victory that took center stage. In particular, a controversial VAR decision shortly before halftime caused great frustration among the hosts. Nadiem Amiri and Phillip Tietz subsequently spoke out strongly.
Mainz had put in a spirited performance against Bayern for long stretches of the game. Despite suffering their fourth consecutive loss, the team from the Rhine Valley was therefore generally satisfied with their own performance. One incident, however, caused tempers to flare.
Shortly before halftime, Jae-Sung Lee had scored what appeared to be the equalizer, making it 1–1, following a free kick by Amiri. The cross had been slightly deflected by Bayern defender Jonathan Tah. Manuel Neuer missed the ball, and Lee headed it in at the far post. But after a review lasting several minutes, the goal was disallowed due to a narrow offside call.
“It’s really strange how that played out.”
The Mainz players were particularly puzzled by the long delay and the process leading to the decision.
Referee Robert Schröder had initially pointed to the center circle. However, the play was then reviewed again. After more than four minutes, it was determined that Lee’s goal would not count. “From the bench, I’d only noticed that the referee had pointed to the spot, that the goal had already been reviewed, and that the score was supposed to be 1–1,” Tietz explained after the game.
The Mainz forward could hardly make sense of the subsequent decision. “It’s really strange how that played out,” said the 29-year-old, emphasizing the significance of the play.
“It would have been an amazing moment if we’d gone into halftime tied at 1–1. That 1–1 was the defining moment of the game.”
Amiri also seemed baffled. “The ref had already blown the whistle and pointed to the spot—and then he said it was offside,” the Mainz captain described.
Manuel Neuer’s injury caused further concern. The Bayern goalkeeper had to receive treatment after the play and was subsequently replaced by Jonas Urbig.
Amiri Calls for a Change to the Offside Rule
While Tietz primarily criticized the VAR review process, Amiri went a step further. The 30-year-old fundamentally questioned whether the current interpretation of the offside rule makes sense.
Lee had been just a few centimeters offside on his supposed goal. “This rule really gets on my …,” Amiri grumbled, without finishing his sentence. He then added: “That’s crazy.”
The midfielder therefore spoke out in favor of adjusting the rule. “Maybe you’re allowed to be half a meter offside,” Amiri suggested.
However, the Mainz player did not fundamentally question the fact that the decision was made in accordance with the current rules. “What can you do? That’s just how it is. It would have been good momentum, but against Bayern you need a perfect day.”
Despite their frustration over the disallowed goal, the Mainz players didn’t want to downplay their performance.
Amiri emphasized that his team had given it their all and demonstrated their core strengths. Against an opponent like Bayern, however, they could hardly afford to make any mistakes.
In the end, the Munich side capitalized on their chances more effectively and secured another Bundesliga victory thanks to goals from Joshua Kimmich and Lennart Karl.
For Mainz, on the other hand, the realization remained that more could have been achieved against the record champions. Above all, the disallowed equalizer just before halftime is likely to linger in the minds of the Rheinhessen players for a long time to come.