FCA fall to 3-2 defeat against Bayern, despite quick-fire opener

Despite leading twice and giving a courageous performance, FC Augsburg have been left empty-handed at the end of a pulsating Bavarian derby against FC Bayern München. The hosts scored their fastest goal in Bundesliga history and led for a second time until the last minute of first half stoppage time. However, David Alaba struck early in the second half to break FCA hearts. FCA head coach Manuel Baum was forced into making multiple changes to the side that fell to a 4-0 defeat away at SV Werder Bremen last weekend. Captain Daniel Baier was suspended for derby against Bayern after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in Bremen. FCA top scorer Alfred Finnbogason was ruled out of the match with a calf problem while André Hahn was also injured. Kevin Danso return to the starting lineup after missing the trip to Bremen with injury while Sergio Córdova started up front. Augsburg made a bold start to the match and took the lead with their first attack of the match. Kostantinos Stafylidis played in Philipp Max on the left side of the penalty area and he fired the ball across the box. The ball hit the heel of Leon Goretzka and the ball trickled into the back of his own net to give the hosts an early lead (1’). It was the fastest goal Augsburg have ever scored in the Bundesliga. However, Bayern nearly responded with their first chance of the match as a wide open Serge Gnabry could only fire his shot wide (3’). Ji fires home to restore Augsburg’s lead – Coman strikes in first half stoppage time FC Bayern enjoyed a lot more possession in the opening stages of the match. However, the record Bundesliga champions were unable to threaten Gregor Kobel in the Augsburg goal – until the 17th minute. Joshua Kimmich fired a cross into the box and Kingsley Coman was able to strike the ball beyond the helpless Kobel to draw Bayern level (17’). The visitors were only level for seven minutes as FCA retook the lead spectacularly in the 24th minute. Once again, Stafylidis and Max were in the build-up as Max fired another across the box. This time, Michael Gregoritsch was unable to shoot but the ball fell perfectly to Dong-Won Ji. The Korean smashed the ball beyond the reached of the outstretched Manuel Neuer and FCA restored their lead. After securing the 2-1 lead, FCA started to sit back and this invited Bayern to dominate possession and come forward. The visitors, however, were unable to take their chances but remained dangerous from set pieces. Robert Lewandowski fired a header onto the bar in the 34th minute before Goretzka also went close (36’). Bayern continued to press for an equaliser and eventually drew level right on the stroke of half-time. Coman managed to create space for a shot in the box before firing under the on rushing Kobel to leave the scoreline level at the break (45+3). Alaba completes turnaround – Oxford almost rescues a point Bayern continued to control proceedings after the change of ends and soon took the lead for the first time. David Alaba found some space on the left-hand side of the box and drilled an unstoppable shot into the far corner of Kobel’s goal. Now it was up to FCA to lead a comeback charge, and while Ji forced Manuel Neuer into a save, Lewandowski was still keeping the defence busy at the other end and probably ought to have tucked away a fourth for the visitors. Augsburg were getting more numbers forward when they were able to prise the ball away from the champions, but that wasn’t happening very often, with the earlier high press no longer a regular sight. Set-pieces looked like the more likely way of levelling the scores and Reece Oxford had a golden opportunity to head home when he climbed highest from Max’s free-kick, only to direct his effort over the bar. After that, only FCB had any chances of note, with Kobel saving well from Goretzka and the upright keeping out Coman. Time eventually ran out on Manuel Baum’s boys as the Bavarian derby spoils went back to Munich. Next up for FCA is a trip to SC Freiburg on Saturday, 23rd February at 15:30 CET.