Brave Augsburg beaten narrowly 1-0 by Bayern

FC Augsburg end the Hinrunde with a narrow defeat against FC Bayern. The record champions ran out 1-0 winners at the WWK Arena on Wednesday evening, but FCA will be left ruing a missed opportunity late on. 

Heiko Herrlich  was able to welcome Iago (neck) and Marco Richter (suspension) back to the starting XI following the 2-0 defeat to SV Werder Bremen last weekend. Mads Petersen and Alfred Finnbogason started on the bench. 

As expected, the visitors from Munich assumed control early on, but a header from Robert Lewandowski (4') proved no issue for Rafal Gikiewicz. Other than that chance, Herrlich’s side did well told limit the guest’s opportunities early on. But that all changed when Rani Khedira caught Lucas Hernández with a late challenge in the box. The referee duly awarded a penalty kick, Lewandowski converted clinically (13’)

Augsburg reacted well to the increased pressure following Bayern’s opening goal, giving away few chances but for a Serge Gnabry and Thomas Müller double salvo (23'). But a genuine sight at goal at the other end was lacking, as the hosts struggled to keep hold of possession. Towards the end of the half, Joshua Kimmich speculated with a volley just wide (36’), before Gnabry was denied by Gikiewicz (38’) shortly afterwards. Lewandowski came closest to doubling the lead just before the break, his effort rattling the far post (42').

FCA push forward – Finnbogason misses a penalty

FCA came out strongly at the start of the second half, although couldn’t get any shots away early on. Bayern took their foot of the gas slightly and played at a lower tempo in comparison to the first half. After just over an hour, Lewandowski had another chance, however Felix Uduokhai was on hand to block (66’). At the other end, FCA had two half chances through Caligiuri (67’, 73’). Gikiewicz had no issues with a shot from Goretzka (71‘), before referee Jöllenback awarded a penalty for Augsburg in the 76th minute. The ball had struck Benjamin Pavard on the arm in the box, giving FCA a huge chance to equalise. Alfred Finnbogason, however, stepped up and hit the post, meaning it stayed 1-0.

Augsburg continued to press for a goal, and Jensen saw his shot fly just over a minute after the penalty miss (77’). Despite throwing the kitchen sink at Bayern towards the end – and further shots from Niederlechner (88’) and Uduokhai (92’) not going in – the Fuggerstädter narrowly lost out to the reigning Bundesliga champions.

The next game is at home again to 1. FC Union Berlin on Saturday (23rd January, 15:30 CET).

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