FCA lose 4-1 to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich proved too strong for FC Augsburg in the latest iteration of the Bavarian derby, as the visitors ran away with a 4-1 victory. It was Augsburg who actually went into the lead thanks to an own goal from Niklas Süle, although goals from Corentin Tolisso (32’), James Rodriguez (38’), Arjen Robben (62’) and Sandro Wagner pulled the result in the favour of Bayern. FCA head coach Manuel Baum made one change to the side that played in the goalless draw in Leverkusen. Sergio Córdova came in for Jan Moravek to make his second start for FCA. Augsburg started the game firmly on the offensive in front of the sold-out crowd. In the fifth minute, Caiuby came unbelievably close to getting the opener for FCA, but his shot narrowly missed the right post. Augsburg made life very difficult for Bayern in the early goings and pressed very high. In the 16th minute following a one-two with Michael Gregoritsch, Philipp Max found himself bearing down on the Bayern goal, although his shot cannoned off the outside of the post. The goal would not have counted anyway, however, as the left-back was standing in an offside position as the ball was played to him. Nevertheless, their hard work finally did pay dividends. Sergio Córdova stole the ball from Jerome Boateng, and brought himself into a one-on-one situation with Sven Ulreich. The Bayern keeper managed to get a hand to his shot, which rebounded sharply into the face of Niklas Süle and back into the goal (18’). Shortly after, Jonathan Schmid stepped up for a free-kick and managed to get his shot over the wall and unfortunately over the crossbar as well. Bayern were clearly caught off guard by a courageous FCA performance and had barely made their way into their half in the first half an hour. However, Joshua Kimmich then crossed it in to the middle to find a completely unmarked Corentin Tolisso, who made no mistake and equalised for the record champions with a header (32’). They then almost took the lead through another header from Joshua Kimmich, but the young Germany international’s attempt went straight at Hitz and onto the post (35’). The guests began to take control from this point, combining on multiple occasions to set up goalscoring chances. One such chance started through a darting run from Joshua Kimmich, who squared the ball into the middle towards Juan Bernat. The Spaniard then laid the ball off to James Rodriguez, who smashed it in to give Bayern the lead (38’). The 2-1 lead for the visitors would hold up as both sides headed in for half time. Augsburg were clearly much more defensive to begin the second half and allowed the reigning Bundesliga champions to take the initiative. The Munich side found it hard to create chances in the early stages of the half, as an FCA foot was always there at the last moment to cut out the final pass. Another breakthrough did come in the 62nd minute, however, when Arjen Robben took on a half-volley and finished it sublimely with his left foot. Augsburg refused to give up. In the 65th minute, a header from Daniel Baier came a whisker away from getting a goal back. Then Schmid picked up a head of steam down the right side and crossed it in to the centre and found Gregoritsch, but the Austrian’s lunging attempt flew over the bar. It was Bayern who would have the last laugh though, when Sandro Wagner leapt up to head his side into a 4-1 lead secure their sixth successive Bundesliga title (82’).