FCA leave Munich empty handed after derby
First Team
18.11.2017, 19:33
In the first game after the international break, FCA were beaten by table-toppers FC Bayern Munich 3-0. Robert Lewandowski (38’, 49’) and Arturo Vidal (31’) were the goalscorers for Bayern.
FCA’s head coach Manuel Baum only made one change to the side that drew with Leverkusen 1-1 before the international break: Alfred Finnbogason lead the line in place of Ja-Cheol Koo.
It didn’t take long for FC Bayern to create their first chance: James Rodriguez crossed the ball in from a free kick, which Niklas Süle met with his head - just over. Robert Lewandowski had another chance in the 13th minute thanks to stellar build-up play by James Rodriguez once more, but Marwin Hitz was there to make the save. Mats Hummels came close himself 5 minutes later, but his header just missed the target. As expected, Bayern were dominating things at home. FCA still defended admirably, however, not making it easy for Bayern to pick any holes in their resistance.
Ausgburg weren’t without their own chances either. Caiuby latched onto a corner and took a shot at goal directly, although it went just over (29’). Shortly after, Bayern made the breakthrough. After a scrappy initial fallout from a free kick, Arturo Vidal hammered the ball into the back of the net from short range to make FCA pay for not clearing their lines (31’). Michael Gregoritsch tested Sven Ulreich at the other end with a free kick of his own, but Kevin Danso’s follow-up was caught confidently by the Bayern keeper (33’).
It didn’t get much better before the break: after Caiuby gave the ball away cheaply in central midfield, Vidal found Lewandowski in stride in the penalty area. The Poland international made no mistake with this golden chance and left Marwin Hitz helpless to make it 2-0 (38’). The home side deservedly led heading into the break.
Lewandowski gets a brace
Augsburg never gave up, and played with a lot of intent going forward despite the deficit. However, Bayern would get another only a few minutes after play resumed in the second half. Joshua Kimmich found Lewandowski with a pinpoint cross, which the Pole volleyed into the net from seven metres out (49’). It was almost a four goal lead two minutes later, but a header from Arturo Vidal hit the post. Gregoritsch tried his luck with a long range free kick at the other end, but Ulreich caught the ball easily. The home side were comfortable to play possession football from that point on and sit on their 3-0 lead. The game was already decided by the time the final 15 minutes rolled around, and FCA found it very hard to create anything of substance. A repeat of the historic win over the record Bundesliga champions on 5th April 2014 at the Allianz Arena was not to be. It’s on to the next one for FCA.
