After finally returning from the dreaded three-week international break, Bayern Munich signaled their return in the only way they know how, keeping their fans on the edge of their seats for 90 minutes. After a rollercoaster of a match, Bayern walked away with a 2-2 draw and were extremely unlucky to walk away with just one point. These could prove to be crucial points dropped following Borussia Dortmund's dramatic draw vs Werder Bremen on Friday.
Bayern had four goals taken away for offsides, in a game they would have won had it not been for some elementary mistakes. A number of players definitely didn't have their best performance of the season, showing some rust going back to playing club football after the long international break. However, Bayern did manage to have a few players put in their typical standout performance, even in a match where the team dropped points. Let's take a look at Bayern Munich's top performers from their matchday five clash vs Augsburg.
Who managed to stand out in a rollercoaster of a match vs Augsburg?
No longer ‘clumsy’ Harry Kane
In his fourth season at the club, Harry Kane seems to be at his absolute peak. Not only is he scoring goals - his main job - but he is also a real contributor to the game. Oftentimes, operating in the space typically reserved for the ‘false’ striker. He supplies the attacking backs and creates space for the ‘real’ number ten and the wingers. It is not a new view for those who have followed Bayern for the last couple of years – especially in his third year, he began serving as an extra midfielder.
But Kane seems to have improved in that type of play. He is no longer the ‘clumsy’ Harry of Tottenham Hotspur. His technique has significantly improved, and he is not just ‘a supplier’. His timing for creating his own space (for long-range shots) is excellent, and he knows when he must be ‘the true number 9’ again. Back and forth, back and forth…
Let’s take a closer look at his statistics against Augsburg. Of course, he delivered two assists, and it is not surprising that his xA (expected assists) was 0.56. His xG (expected goals) was stuck at 1.55. He had strong passing accuracy at 75%. He created four chances, had nine touches in the box, and hit the woodwork once.
Kane was the only one performing at his best, maybe even above it.
Ranking: 8.5
Pavlović is proving indispensable
Who is the right successor to the duo featuring Joshua Kimmich in midfield? The answer is now clear. Aleksandar Pavlović. In his fourth season with the first squad, the German is still evolving his game, and at 22 years old, he is showing why he is the future of the Bayern Munich midfield. Pavlovic is playing as the more attacking midfielder next to Kimmich, but he knows when to help his defence and act as a real ‘vacuum cleaner’ in the middle of the field.
Almost all his tackles, interceptions, and recoveries were successful and effective, winning two of his six ground duels and committing only one foul, while also making three defensive contributions.
Besides these robust defensive statistics, he also contributed to the attacking play. He boasted an impressive 91% passing accuracy, finishing with 109 touches, only bettered by his midfield partner Joshua Kimmich.
Ranking: 8
Davies is like Alaba in his prime
Alphonso Davies coined the term ‘full wing back’ before it even existed, and is showing why Vincent Kompany can rely on him this season. He is looking like David Alaba in his prime from all those years ago, contributing to both the attack and defense. Although his xA vs Augsburg was marginal (0.08), he achieved 94% pass accuracy.
He created two chances and had one shot off target, and he was involved in one of Bayern's three disallowed goals.
In these moments, you could see the variety of the Canadian fullback, with his movement on the pitch second to none in the Bayern squad. He is able to stay out wide but also move to the center of the field, so it's no wonder that Davies had a 75% success rate of successful dribbles. The same statistic shows in the ground duels he won.
Davies: again, like Alaba in his prime, but maybe even better.
Ranking: 8
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