Bayern Munich see out impressive 3-0 win over Augsburg

Jupp Heynckes sets a personal record of 500 Bundesliga wins in a dominant Bayern Munich performance, the home side emerging 3-0 victors.

As another international break finally passes by, we return to Bayern Munich and their work towards regaining prime form. Thankfully, Bayern players on the international stage returned to club action generally unscathed for the pickup of the season. With the exception of a few players sitting this one out to get some rest, the starting XI saw plenty key players hitting the pitch.

Thiago had been feeling some knee discomforts abroad with Spain and stayed in the stands for this match. Likewise, Jerome Boateng continued to rest and Jupp Heynckes wasn’t willing to risk him. David Alaba also was a bit worn, but did manage to feature as a sub to keep fresh.

Fortunately, these changes didn’t affect the performance on the field. Bayern Munich put in one of their most comprehensive and balanced games this season in attack and defense.

Bayern lead in confident first-half

The match started with a bit of an adventurous bout of energy from Augsburg. The visitors tried applying pressure to Bayern when the champions were in possession, but in the end the reigning Bundesliga champions weren’t phased. Bayern Munich didn’t succumb to pressure and promptly pushed back by exerting their own dominance.

Consequently, Bayern’s response took form in some close early chances. In another reassuring James Rodriguez showing, the Colombian whipped in some dangerous long-balls from set-pieces. Niklas Sule and Mats Hummels both came just shy of converting a goal a piece. The two center-backs were comfortable and composed in defense, but they admittedly made disappointing work of a couple free headers.

These early signs turned out to be foreshadowing for what was to come. Just past the half-hour mark, after hectic scenes from a James set-piece, Javi Martinez and Robert Lewandowski pinged shots off of the Augsburg defense. Eventually, Arturo Vidal finally fired off the tie-breaker into the roof of the net past Marwin Hitz to make it 1-0. The Chilean’s strong showing didn’t stop there, as the rest of the match was a welcome return to form for him.

Less than 10 minutes later, Vidal robbed the ball off Augsburg’s Caiuby to set Lewandowski loose. The Polish striker made clean work of it and coolly finessed his shot into the bottom left-corner. With that, Bayern saw out a handsome 2-0 lead at half-time.

The champions make no mistake in the second-half

Bayern Munich entered and finished the second 45 the same as the first. Just a few minutes into the half, the home side increased their advantage. Joshua Kimmich found himself down the right-flank and looped in a pinpoint cross to Lewandowski. Lewy made no slip-ups and beautifully struck home a volley once again behind Hitz’s goal.

Kimmich had a strong and reassuringly balanced game on the day. He kept his flank quiet on the defensive end, making some important interceptions, tackles, etc. And in attack, as evident of his assist to Lewandowski, it’s business as usual. The Pole’s rest also proved effective, as he was very efficient in converting his chances.

The match would go on to end with that 3-0 scoreline, but it could have easily been more. James gave Vidal a great chance after the Colombian chipped a ball over the Augsburg defense, similar to his assist to the Chilean against Schalke. Vidal barely missed, popping the ball off the crossbar and into Marwin Hitz’s gloves.

The Chilean wouldn’t be too upset about missing that chance, however. After recent performances, not everyone expected Vidal to give the strongest performance on the pitch. Aside from some reckless challenges, he provided a productive display in a box-to-box midfield role, working hard in both defense and attack.

Next: Bayern Munich the definition of dominant in Augsburg rout -- Player grades

Reassuring signs for the season ahead

All in all, it was a refreshing return to ‘business as usual’ for Bayern Munich. Jupp Heynckes continues to mention that there’s always need for improvement, and today was another step in the right direction. Bayern allowed Augsburg very few chances in defense, and were killer in attack when needed.