'Formula One' Bayern hits top gear

Bayern Munich was likened to a Formula One car on Saturday, outracing some of the lesser models in the Bundesliga.

Bayern warmed-up for Wednesday's Champions League visit of Viktoria Pilsen with a 4-1 drubbing of Mainz with Germany's Mario Goetze making the difference but only after being a goal down at the break.

"We were like a 1970s VW Beetle and you can't dream of winning a race against a Formula One car," sighed Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel.

"So it's normal to be overtaken before the end."

A lackluster first half left Bayern 1-0 down at Munich's Allianz Arena before Goezte came off the bench to play a part in three of his side's goals.

Goetze's superb pass led to Arjen Robben's 50th-minute equalizer before the pair combined to set up Thomas Mueller for the first of his two goals for the European champion.

Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic then converted Goetze's cross before Mueller netted a late penalty in the rout.

Bayern secured its place at the top of the Bundesliga standings and extended its unbeaten run to 34 games, just two short of Hamburg's league record set in 1983.

But Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was unimpressed with his team's performance as it targets its third Champions League win against Pilsen next week.

Bayern is at the top of Group D after impressive wins over CSKA Moscow and Manchester City, but Guardiola was far from happy.

"I don't like it when we play like we did in the first half," said Guardiola as Bayern looked lethargic despite huge amounts of possession.

"We have to play at home like we play away, we always have these problems at home.

"I can't tell people that they should only come for the second half. We need to play better. We made a few changes to our formation and Arjen (Robben) moved over to the left.

"Now we have to turn our focus to Pilsen."

(China Daily 10/21/2013 page23)