Bayern defeat FC Augsburg for second time

FC Augsburg were defeated for the second time in one week by FC Bayern München, losing 3-1 at home in the Bundesliga. Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben put Bayern on their way to victory as Augsburg's only goal came through a consolation strike from Ja-Cheol Koo. FC Augsburg made three changes to the side that started in Munich for the DFB Pokal match on Wednesday. Paul Verhaegh, Halil Altintop and Jonathan Schmid all came into the starting line-up in place of Domink Kohr, Georg Teigl and Philipp Max. The home side, playing in a sold-out crowd of 30,660 at the WWK ARENA, surprised Bayern in the opening minutes of the game with a dangerous long-shot from 30 metres by Paul Verhaegh, forcing Manuel Neuer into a save. However Bayern then turned up the heat and Douglas Costa found Robert Lewandowski in the FCA box after a quick counterattack, but the striker could not control the ball and Marwin Hitz was there to keep it out. Bayern continued to dominate and had far more possession than Augsburg, who only created the odd chance and failed to really test the record champions. It was Lewandowski who eventually found the target for the away side after a pass from Arjen Robben to put his side 1-0 up. The Pole then picked out Robben shortly afterwards and the winger finished it into an empty net to give Bayern a two-goal lead. It was certainly tough for FCA to stomach conceding two goals so soon after each other. But shortly before half time, Xabi Alonso made a serious error in his own penalty area and gave it straight to Ja-Cheol Koo. However the South Korean unable to capitalise on this gift from the Bayern midfielder and his shot landed straight in the arms of Manuel Neuer. The Fuggerstädter went into the dressing room at half time 2-0 down. Bayern continued to build on their first-half dominance after the break and after FCA gave the ball away in their own half, Robben powered through the midfield and played Lewandowski through. The striker made no mistake, rounding Hitz and finishing to put his side 3-0 up. Robben sent through Lewandowski yet again for a one-on-one in the 62nd minute but he could make it past Hitz this time as the keeper swiftly came out to claim the ball. Augsburg would not give up and managed to pull one back through Koo in the 67th minute. Hitz then made two brilliant saves from two Mats Hummels headers in quick succession to keep his team in the game. Despite conceding, Bayern gave very little away after that and comfortably maintained their lead for the rest of the game. They even could have made it four but Philipp Lahm's fierce strike from 16 metres out only fizzed past the post by a matter of inches. It finished 3-1 as Bayern clinched their second victory over FC Augsburg in a matter of days.