Tuchel: 'Points drifted out of Bayern's hands like sand'

"The players are not alert, exhausted," Tuchel said after the defeat at Mewa Arena on April 22. "We look like a team that has played 70 games this season. Matches and points are slipping out of our hands like sand."

According to the German coach, Bayern lacked focus and did not have the energy to react when being cornered by Mainz. "I don't know why," Tuchel continued. "Too many things happened in the team. They couldn't fight back."

Yesterday, Bayern entered the game well and opened the scoring from the 29th minute thanks to a header from Sadio Mane - the striker kicked for the first time after punching teammate Leroy Sane in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. However, Bayern collapsed when the home team pushed up the squad and pressed for the second half of the second half. In less than 15 minutes, from 65 to 79, Ludovic Ajorque, Leandro Barreiro and Aaron Martin respectively scored to help Mainz win 3-1.

This result extended Tuchel's winless streak with Bayern to four matches. Three previous matches, they drew Hoffenheim 1-1, lost 0-3 and drew Man City 1-1. Including the 1-2 loss to Freiburg, the former Chelsea coach did not win five of the seven matches he led Bayern. However, Tuchel did not blame the player. "As long as I'm here, whether for a day, a week or a year, I'm the one responsible," he said.

Due to losing to Mainz, while Dortmund won 4-0 against Frankfurt, Bayern dropped to second with 59 points after 29 rounds, one point behind their rivals. If they win the remaining five matches, including three at home, Dortmund will be crowned regardless of the outcome of Bayern.

The situation was dangerous, but Tuchel still kept his word for the whole team to take three days off as promised before the game. "We are lacking energy," explained the 49-year-old coach. "We're not going to get that back by asking the whole team to practice tomorrow. We need to have some space."

President Herbert Hainer and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said Bayern played well in the first half, but lacked energy and collapsed in the second half. CEO Oliver Kahn emphasized that Bayern still has a chance to defend the title and must immediately stand up.

Meanwhile, striker Thomas Muller said: "There were too many flaws in Bayern's play, mine too, but we deserved the lead in the first half. In the second half we had one or two situations. , then suddenly it was 1-3. We didn't have the strength or energy to come back, and there was no explanation for that."