Match Awards from Bayern Munich’s relieving 4-3 win over Mainz
That was a close one for FC Bayern.
Mainz' German midfielder #08 Paul Nebel scores his team's second goal 2:0 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1 FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, western Germany on April 25, 2026. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO | AFP via Getty Images Bayern Munich got over a brief scare from FSV Mainz 05 and secured their win. Despite this being an inconsequential game for the German giants, it was definitely one to follow.
Here are our awards for the evening. Jersey Swap — Kaishū Sano While Paul Nebel may have had the highlight-reel goal, Kaishū Sano was the most complete player for Mainz. He provided the technical foundation that allowed the front line to thrive.
Sano was the tactical engine that made Mainz’s first-half dominance possible, and potentially why they could have held on for the win too. While the attackers faded in the second half under Bayern’s pressure, Sano was still tracking back and covering ground, finishing with one of the highest distance-covered stats of the match. Der Kaiser — Hiroki Ito Despite the 3-0 scoreline at the break, Ito’s individual stats remained elite.
He didn’t register a single “error leading to a shot,” which was a stark contrast to the rest of the back four. While the unit as a whole appeared disorganized during Mainz’s three-goal surge, Ito remained the most disciplined individual in the back four, recording several key interceptions to prevent the deficit from widening before the interval. He served as the primary progressive outlet from the back, with a pass accuracy rate of 96%.