FC Augsburg made the short trip to Munich on matchday 24, knowing they would face a stiff challenge in the home of the reigning champions. Despite taking the lead early on through Berisha, FCA fell to a 5-3 defeat against FC Bayern. 

Head coach Enrico Maaßen was able to call upon Mergim Berisha this weekend, with the striker having scored the winner against Bayern earlier this season. Julian Baumgartlinger started in defensive midfield together with Arne Engels. Niklas Dorsch missed the match against his former club due to illness. FCA came into the game on the back of a 2-1 win against SV Werder Bremen, their fourth straight on home soil this term. 

FCA got off to a dream start under the clear blue sky in Munich, with Berisha slotting home in the third minute of play – his seventh goal of the season. Julian Nagelmann’s men were left chasing a deficit once again, but FCA’s lead wouldn’t last long. João Cancelo scored the equaliser from a tight angle in the 15th minute. 

The league leaders didn’t need long to add another. Sadio Mané provided a bicycle kick assist for Benjamin Pavard after a corner, with Rafał Gikiewicz left helpless to prevent the defender from sinking the ball in the back of the net (19’). The hosts would then score a third from another set piece, as Pavard bagged his second of the day with an acrobatic volley (35’). FCA’s only other chance of the half came from an Arne Maier shot that was easily saved by Yann Sommer (32’). Shortly before the break, Leroy Sané would make it 4-1, as he headed in a shot from Mané that had rebounded off Gikiewicz (45’).

Vargas and Cardona bring pace

Maaßen made four changes at the break, bringing on Ruben Vargas, Irvin Cardona, Iago and Elvis Rexhbecaj. The substitutes brought fresh energy to the pitch, with Vargas sending a shot over the bar in the 55th minute. Three minutes later, a long-range effort from Maier forced Sommer into a save, but the referee pointed to the spot as Matthijs de Ligt had brought down Cardona in the box (58’). Berisha stepped up to take the penalty and coolly converted it to make it 4-2 (60’). 

Iago was the next to come close for the visitors, but his effort went over the bar (65’). Instead, it was Bayern who would add to their lead as Alphonso Davies turned in a cross from Cancelo (74’). Nathanaël Mbuku came on to make his FCA debut late on in the game. Cardona would go on to net his first goal for the club in the final seconds, after a good pass through from Vargas (90’+3).

Next weekend, FC Augsburg will host FC Schalke 04 on Saturday, 18th March (15:30 CET). 

Unsere FCA-APP

Jetzt herunterladen!