Luckless Reds slip to defeat

FC Bayern fell 2-1 to FC Augsburg on Friday evening. Mads Pedersen and André Hahn netted for Augsburg, Robert Lewandowski pulling one back before half-time. Bayern were utterly dominant in the second half but ran up in vain against the rock of Augsburg's defence, losing their second match this campaign.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernández and Omar Richards in a back four. Leon Goretzka and Marcel Sabitzer anchored a midfield featuring Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané, with Lewandowski up front. Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Tanguy Nianzou took over from Richards, Sabitzer, Sané and Pavard in the second half.

Trailing at half-time

Once referee Daniel Siebert whistled play underway, Bayern dominated possession, but the bold hosts were solid at the back and dangerous up front. Richards fired over the bar, Lewandowski miscuing after a corner. Gouweleeuw tested Neuer before Augsburg took the lead, Pedersen beating Neuer from 20 yards.

Bayern went looking for a reply but proved uninspired up front, Richards, Sané and Müller seeing efforts blocked. The hosts doubled the lead when Bayern lost possession in midfield, Iago's cross finding Hahn, who headed home. Munich replied almost immediately, Müller flicking on a Pavard cross for Lewandowski to crash home.

Lack of punch

Proceedings were similar after half-time. Lewandowski and Goretzka aimed too high and Davies fired wide, but clear-cut chances proved few and far between, with Augsburg increasingly parking the bus. Lewandowski saw an effort saved and Pavard fired over.

The champions upped the ante in the closing stages. Augsburg keeper Gikiewicz denied Musiala before Müller saw a shot deflected wide. Nianzou blasted over, and Siebert blew for full-time, Bayern losing their second match this term.

The result means Bayern have 28 points from 12 matches, four ahead of Dortmund, who take on Stuttgart on Saturday. The German record champions will be back in action on Tuesday, when they travel to face Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen