Augsburg stun Bayern Munich in Bavarian Derby
Lewandowski continues sensational goalscoring record against Augsburg
Lowly Augsburg picked up a hard-fought 2-1 win over champions Bayern Munich to win their first Bavarian derby match against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga in over five years.
Bayern Munich were without midfield maestro Joshua Kimmich, but started the game on the front foot, with Omar Richards and Robert Lewandowski both spurning good opportunities to open the scoring for the champions in the opening minutes of the game.
Augsburg took the lead against the run of play in spectacular fashion after 23 minutes. Left-back Iago played a low cross into the box for striker Andi Zeqiri to flick it into the path of the onrushing Mads Petersen, who fired a first-time rocket past Manuel Neuer and into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 1-0 to the home side.
Bayern Munich continued to control proceedings, but were unable to break down their stubborn opposition, and Augsburg soon added a second.
Kimmich’s replacement in the line-up, Marcel Sabitzer, was caught in possession by the industrious Zeqiri, who played in Iago down the left flank. The left-back sent an inch-perfect cross for Andre Hahn to direct a header across Manuel Neuer and into the back of the net to make it 2-0 to Augsburg after 35 minutes.
Bayern Munich came at their hosts with a renewed energy and verve, and duly pulled one back within minutes of going two goals down.
A cross from Benjamin Pavard on the right flank was flicked on by Thomas Muller for Lewandowski to finish on the volley and halve the deficit for the champions in the 38th minute of the match. It was Muller’s ninth assist of the season and Lewandowski’s 14th goal in only 12 Bundesliga matches this season. The Polish national has now scored 22 goals in 18 appearances against Augsburg in his career.
Champions Bayern have lost only their second match in the Bundesliga this season, and may see their lead cut to just one point by Borussia Dortmund by the end of the match week. Relegation-threatened Augsburg came into the game in 16th place on the log, and a vital win has seen them move up to 15th.
