Workmanlike Reds overcome Augsburg

FC Bayern beat FC Augsburg 1-0 on Wednesday evening, topping the Bundesliga table at the midpoint of the campaign on 39 points from 17 matches, four clear of Leipzig. Bayern were in control throughout the first half, Lewandowski converting an early penalty to reward their dominance. The Reds eased off in the second half, but with no more goals to come, they took three crucial points.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski as sole striker. Leroy Sané and Corentin Tolisso took over from Gnabry and Lewandowski midway through the second half, Jamal Musiala and Javi Martínez replacing Coman and Müller in the closing stages.

String of chances

Bayern were dominant throughout the first half, Lewandowski miscuing a header before Hernández was fouled in the box, the Polish striker converting from the spot to hand Bayern an early lead. Keeper Rafal Gikiewicz parried a Gnabry shot, Müller smashing the rebound wide.

Lewandowski fired over before shooting wide from distance. A Goretzka back-heel only just evaded Müller. Kimmich rifled wide and Gnabry saw an effort saved, and after Lewandowski hit the post Bayern were one goal up at half-time but rued the missed chances to extend their lead.

On tenterhooks

Bayern eased off after the break, with the hosts enjoying a spell in command, but Augsburg failed to create clear-cut chances. Bayern set up camp in their oppnents' half around the hour mark but proved uninspired in attack, and stray passing spoiled promising moves. A Daniel Caligiuri effort went wide before Goretzka tested Gikiewicz at the other end.

The biggest scare came when Augsburg were awarded a penalty for handball but sub Alfred Finnbogason hit the post. Fredrik Jensen put a shot over the bar before Müller had the ball in the back of the net but it had been out of play. Augsburg upped the pressure in search of an equaliser, Felix Uduokhai heading wide, but Bayern saw out the storm and sealed three points.

The result means Bayern are four points clear of Leipzig, who beat Union Berlin on Wednesday. The Bavarians will be back in action on Sunday, when they travel to face FC Schalke.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen