Mainz are THE story of the European season so far – top of the Bundesliga with six wins from six.

Five wins from five was good enough, but few expected the run to continue, since they faced a trip to last season’s champions. But Mainz triumphed 2-1 over Bayern, using a 4-3-1-2 formation and pressing all over the pitch.

For background information on Mainz’s start to the season, Raphael Honigstein (as ever) has a most interesting report, in a piece written before the Bayern game, focussing largely on Thomas Tuchel, Mainz’s manager.

Honigstein’s piece following this game also featured quotes from Adam Szalai on his side’s tactical approach to this game. “Our mission was to put on pressure and to destroy their passing into the centre…we wanted to force them to play it via the full-backs. When the ball was out wide, one of our holding midfielders moved out. That worked well.”

Here are ten ways they managed to stop Bayern.

The basic shape

Holtby running…

…and tackling

Outside central midfielders

Pressing from the front

Force Klose to come short

Midfield barrier

Striker drops back

Schweinsteiger drops in

Continue to press

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