Patient Bayern earn late reward against Augsburg

FC Bayern beat Augsburg 1-0 on Saturday, sealing three crucial points and taking a further step towards their tenth straight Bundesliga title. Julian Nagelsmann's men were up against disciplined opponents and had to show great patience before Robert Lewandowski wrapped up the win from the penalty spot with ten minutes to go.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Tanguy Nianzou, Dayot Upamecano and Omar Richards in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka featured in midfield behind Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Serge Gnabry, with Lewandowski up front. Jamal Musiala took over from Gnabry at half-time, Alphonso Davies, Marcel Sabitzer, Kingsley Coman and Josip Stanišić coming on for Richards, Goretzka, Sané and Müller in the second half.

Tough going

The 75,000 capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena saw the Bundesliga leaders go straight onto the attack, Gnabry's cross evading Lewandowski before the Pole rounded keeper Rafal Gikiewicz, but the angle was too narrow. A scare came after a stray pass, Hahn charging into the box, but Upamecano nicked the ball off his toes.

Kimmich fired wide from distance as Bayern struggled to make headway against the well-organised visitors. Lewandowski saw an effort blocked before Gikiewicz beat the striker to Kimmich's through ball, and the sides went into the break with the game deadlocked.

Lewy seals it

The Reds came out in determined mood after half-time with Lewandowski rising high to meet Müller's cross, Gikiewicz only just scrambling to save his header. Augsburg had to thank their keeper for keeping the scores level when he saved Kimmich's powerful drive from 20 yards.

Pavard's square found no takers before the Frenchman headed over. Coman and Musiala fired wide, but Bayern were soon awarded a penalty for handball, Lewandowski dispatching from 12 yards. The goal boosted the German champions, Gikiewicz having to deny Coman before Kimmich hit the bar. Lewandowski saw an effort cleared off the line late on as it remained 1-0.

The result takes Bayern onto 69 points from 29 matches, nine clear of Dortmund. The Bavarians will be back in action on Tuesday, when they take on Villarreal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen