Julian Nagelsmann’s men resumed their league campaign with a defeat against the relegation-threatened Augsburg. The Bavarians fell two goals behind in the first half, and even Robert Lewandowski couldn’t rescue them from the claws of defeat.
Despite hoarding the ball up to 80 per cent and taking 18 shots, Bayern were beaten 2-1 by Augsburg in the Bundesliga. The Bavarians found themselves two goals down by the 35th minute and, while they did pull one back, were unable to outscore the relegation-threatened side.
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Bayern started the game without Joshua Kimmich anchoring the middle of the pitch; the central midfielder was ruled out of the game after he came into contact with someone suspected to have Covid-19. Nagelsmann was also without Niklas Sule – who himself caught the virus during the bygone international window. Furthermore, the German started the game without Alphonso Davies – who was on the bench – with Omar Richards taking his place.
Augsburg took the lead against the run of play in the 23rd minute. Full-back Mads Pedersen combined with Iago on the left flank before the latter whipped in a dangerous cross into the box. Blocked by Lucas Hernandez, the ball fell into the path of Pedersen – who had continued his run into the box – and the left-back smashed a volley into the far corner.
Andre Hahn doubled Augsburg’s lead in the 35th minute, much to the delight of a strong home crowd. Brighton loanee Andi Zeqiri robbed Marcel Sabitzer of the ball inside the Bayern half before playing in Iago down the left flank. The Brazilian’s delivery was accurate, and it was headed past Manuel Neuer by Hahn.
Bayern pulled a goal back almost instantly. Serge Gnabry’s cross from the right channel was flicked on by Thomas Muller into the path of Lewandowski, who volleyed it past Rafal Gikiewicz the first time of asking. The latter would deny his countryman from close range late on in the second half to protect his team’s slender advantage.
The defeat threatens to cut Bayern’s advantage at the top of the table. Borussia Dortmund could cut their lead to just one, provided they beat Stuttgart in their next game.
