Bayern Munich grind out a win against Augsburg

Bayern Munich continued their winning run by clinching a hard-fought win against Augsburg.

Bayern Munich remained unbeaten in Ruckrunde as they remain four points clear at the top after clinching victory in the Bavarian derby on Sunday. Augsburg made things difficult for the hosts, but goals from Thomas Muller and Leon Goretzka were enough for Rekordmeister to seal the victory.

Hansi Flick made no changes to the starting lineup that clinched a massive 6-0 win against Hoffenheim last weekend. Lucas Hernandez was back in the squad after missing the DFB Pokal game against Schalke due to minor injury.

Martin Schmidt decided to shake few things up in the lineup after last week’s narrow 3-2 defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach. Raphael Framberger replaced Stephan Leichtsteiner in defense. Daniel Baier and Iago got the nod ahead of Carlos Arboleda and Ruben Vargas.

Unlike last weekend, Bayern had a slow start to the game against Augsburg. The defending Bundesliga champions dominated the possession but lacked the precision in the final third. Augsburg defended well, keeping a compact shape, and they always had an outlet after winning the ball in their half.

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There were some nervy moments for the hosts in the opening 15 minutes, but Manuel Neuer mopped up every threat with ease. Rekordmeister slowly grew in the game and started playing in Augsburg’s half. Along with good defending from Augsburg, Die Roten’s decision making in the final third was poor. It took them 43rd minute to create their first big chance of the game. Serge Gnabry drilled a fine ball in the box, but Muller couldn’t keep the shot on target.

The second half started the same way as the first one. Bayern tried to create chances but their passing let them down. Augsburg were looking more threatening on the counter. Finally, there was some quality linkup play as Jerome Boateng found Muller with a pinpoint aerial pass. The German did the rest by applying the final touch to break the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

After getting the lead, Bayern were all over Augsburg. They started creating quality chances frequently. Andreas Luthe made a phenomenal save to deny Joshua Zirkzee from close range in 65th minute. The German goalkeeper made another spectacular save four minutes later to deny Philippe Coutinho.

The biggest chance to double the lead fell for Gnabry. The German winger was in one vs one situation with Luthe, but he hit the shot just wide of the target. It was now Neuer’s moment to pull off a big save. The German international denied Florian Niederlechner from close range using his great reflexes.

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Die Roten had the chance to seal the victory by getting the second in the closing stages of the game. Alphonso Davies squared the ball for Gnabry in the box, but the German winger couldn’t find the target.

Augsburg nearly made Bayern pay for that miss. The visitors scored on the counter just before the 90-minute mark, but Neiderlechner was a bit early with his run and found himself in an offside position. Bayern went the other end and seal the game with the second goal. Goretzka cleverly slotted past Luthe after some nice linkup play with Gnabry.

Bayern maintained their place at the top of the table after this win. They had to work hard for the victory, but good to see the team showing the character to grind out a result after seeing some hammerings in the past few weeks. And yeah, the vintage kits are magnificent.

"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerPavard-Boateng- Alaba- DaviesKimmich- ThiagoGnabry- Müller- CoutinhoZirkzeeSubstitutes– Ulreich, Odriozola, Martínez (↑Thiago(85′)), Cuisance, Dajaku, Goretzka(↑Zirkzee (70′)), Hernández(↑Coutinho (85′)), TolissoAugsburg (4-2-3-1)LutheMax- Jedvaj- Gouweleeuw-FrambergerBaier- KhediraIago-Lowen-RichterNiederlechnerSubstitutes– Koubek, Lichtsteiner, Suchy, Gruezo, Cordova, Vargas (↑Max(67′)) , Uduokhai, Finnbogason(↑Lowen (76′)), Hahn(↑(‘))"