Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting inspires Bayern Munich comeback against Augsburg in the DFB Cup
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had a hand in three goals as Bayern Munich booked their place in the DFB Cup round of 16 with a come-from-behind win at Augsburg.
Having already beaten Bayern in the Bundesliga this season, Augsburg came out swinging. Shortly after Ermedin Demirovic had been denied a clear sight of goal by Dayot Upamecano, Mads Pedersen arrowed a shot into the bottom corner that left stand-in Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich with no chance. Unfortunately for the hosts, breaking the deadlock so early only served to poke the Bayern bear. Tomas Koubek beat away efforts from Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry, but was powerless to prevent Choupo-Moting squeezing in the equalising goal at his near post.
Gnabry fired against the crossbar soon after the restart, with Sadio Mane putting the follow up wide. Gnabry then flunked a presentable one-on-one, but Joshua Kimmich made no such mistake with a fine finish from Choupo-Moting’s through-ball. Choupo-Moting took advantage of defensive uncertainty to extend Bayern’s lead, only for for Upamecano to turn in a Demirovic cross and give Augsburg a lifeline. Any comeback hopes Augsburg held were extinguished in the 74th minute, however, when Musiala curled in a superb strike from the corner of the area. Alphonso Davies added a fifth from close range to put the seal on Bayern's place in the next round.
Match stats
Bayern are the record DFB Cup winners, having lifted the trophy 20 times, most recently in 2020.
Davies scored his sixth Bayern goal. It was his first in non-Bundesliga competition.
Musiala has six competitive goals for the campaign. Only Mane (seven) and Leroy Sane (nine) have more in Bayern colours.
Choupo-Moting has scored in three of his DFB Cup appearances for Bayern: two braces and one four-goal haul.
Kimmich scored his third goal of the season, but first in the DFB Cup since March 2020.
Pedersen has two goals in four career meetings with Bayern.
The visitors are into the last 16 with something to spare. Augsburg took the lead in this game and had Bayern under real pressure early on. Julian Nagelsmann's side showed their class over the 90 minutes, however, and take their place in the next round of the DFB Cup.
90'
+ 1
DAVIES GETS HIS GOAL
Müller has the ball in the Augsburg box. The Raumdeuter takes his time before choosing which teammate to pick out. He rolls the ball to Davies who cracks the nets from close range. Davies loves that; he's been trying to get on the scoresheet for some time.
Müller spins and rams a shot at the target from close range. Koubek saves.
89'
GORETZKA MISSES
Coman is away down the right. Goretzka and Davies are waiting in the centre. As Coman's low pass rolls into the middle, Goretzka slides and connects but can only send the ball inches wide. Davies would have fancied that.
88'
DAVIES HAS A POP
Davies runs and runs and then takes it all the way into the box. The Canadian thumps a rising shot the zips narrowly over the top.
86'
MAIER OFF TARGET
Maier blasts one over the top. Augsburg's challenge in this season's DFB Cup looks to be coming to an end. Huge applause deserved for the hosts here, they've given it their all.
Changes from both sides now and there are yet more to come. There is an air of inevitability to this Cup tie after Musiala netted Bayern's fourth. The Bavarians looks to be safely through.
Comes bursts clear on the left and tries to pick out Choupo-Moting. Bauer makes a crucial intervention.
74'
MUSIALA MAGIC
Well, then. There ends the Augsburg fightback, it would seem. Musiala collects possession inside the area and seems to have so much time to pick his spot in the far corner, which he does brilliantly. Is that Bayern through?
Augsburg are continuing to mount attacks here as they attempt to get back on terms. This all seemed so unlikely just minutes ago when Bayern were cruising. The home fans are getting right behind their side. Terrific atmosphere.
Augsburg are back in it ! Just after Niederlechner missed a chance at the far post, the hosts mounted another attack. A dangerous cross from the right by Demirovic was touched across the face of the Bayern goal and in by .... Upamecano. As much as Niederlechner stretched to get the last touch, it's an o.g.
Bayern have one foot in the Round of 16. Gnabry crosses from the right. Musiala directs the ball further into the centre. Augsburg make a hash of clearing this and possession comes to Choupo-Moting who slams in his second, and Bayern's third of the night.
Bayern slice through Augsburg again. Choupo-Moting rolls a pass into space and Kimmich laps it up, takes a few steps to the side and thunders a finish past the despairing Koubek and in. Lovely goal. Bayern lead.
Gnabry is onto Kimmich's pass over the top. The Bayern attacker has all the time in the world here as he takes a touch, has a look up ... and slices harmlessly wide of the upright. That was a let off for Augsburg.
47'
BAYERN HIT THE BAR
Gnabry's shot from inside the area takes a wicked deflection and loops onto the crossbar! Mane knocks the follow up wide.
That was a pretty decent half, all told. A goal apiece and this Cup tie one is very much in the balance. Don't go changing.
45'
TIME ADDED ON
Just the minute of added time at the end of the first half in Augsburg.
43'
SAFE HANDS ULREICH
Niederlechner sniffs out a pass over the top but Ulreich is alive to that and grabs possession after running from his line.
41'
MAN FOR ALL COMPS
Interesting to note that Choupo-Moting has now scored in three competitions this season: Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB Cup!
37'
FCB vs. Tomas Koubek
Gnabry is the latest Bayern player to have a shot. That one is relatively easy for Koubek to save and hold onto.
TOP ENTERTAINMENT
Super DFB Cup entertainment here. The hosts were in front after a super Pedersen shot on nine minutes. Bayern have since found their attacking rhythm and are level thanks to Choupo-Moting's third goal of the season.
Bayern are rampant now. Mane skips through the centre and darts a pass to the feet of Gnabry to his right. The Bayern No. 7 side-foots wide of the far post.
29'
MANE MISSES
Bayern should be ahead. Pavard is free down the right and rolls a perfect pass in for Mane. The attacker connects but is denied by Koubek from close range.
27'
CLEVER BAYERN
Clever, clever goal from Choupo-Mouting. Gnabry plays the 33-year-old in on the right. He looks up and seems to be about to pick out a teammate with a sliding pass. Choupo-Mouting prods towards the near post, however, and Koubek is both fooled and finally beaten.
Bayern free kick on the left. Kimmich and Musiala stand over the ball. The former hits it and curls a disappointing shot over the top.
24'
KOUBEK IN TOP FORM
Musiala tries with a snapshot that curls into the arms of Koubek. The keeper is soon in action again, this time saving from Gnabry.
22'
NIEDERLECHNER CHANCE
Mane loses possession and Augsburg can work the ball to Niederlechner, who is falling back as he swipes at goal from distance. His weak-ish shot rolls wide.
20'
KOUBEK BLOCKS
Musiala stands on the ball, inviting Davies to rush onto it and thump a low effort at goal. Koubek blocks that one with his legs. Davies needed a little more composure there.
19'
NO GO CHOUPO-MOTING
A lovely fleet-footed move by Bayern ends with the ball lifted in for Choupo-Moting. The Bayern man is muscled out of possession when in front of goal.
16'
MUSIALA TESTER
Mane feeds Goretzka who deflects the ball into the path of Musiala. The 19-year-old directs a shot towards the far corner which Koubek claws wide. That's Bayern's first BIG chance.
13'
NAGELSMANN FURY
Julian Nagelsmann is absolutely irate with his side down on the touchline. Bayern haven't got going here at all.
11'
BAYERN RESPOND
That goal has finally sparked a reaction from the visitors and Kimmich has a go at the target. His effort flies harmlessly away from goal, much to the delight of the home fans.
9'
AUGSBURG IN FRONT
Ooooh what a hit from Mads Pedersen! A left-footed flash across the face of goal left Ulreich with no chance and Augsburg lead!
Niederlechner pops a pass in for Demirovic who has Upamecano take the ball off his toe just when the Augsburg forward swung at it. Had Demirovic connected, that was surely an Augsburg goal.
2'
AUGSBURG ATTACK
Niederlechner races through on the left and slams a shot into the side-netting. That was close! A super start for the hosts here.
1'
PEEEEP !
Bayern get the game underway. So, who will advance to the DFB Cup Round of 16. We're soon to find out!
BIG ATMOSPHERE
We're edging closer to kick off here in Augsburg and the place is rocking. A top atmosphere awaits the teams as they take their respective places in the tunnel.
MAAßEN'S VIEW
"The stadium will be full and we want another Augsburg win. We've managed to beat them at home twice in a row. Why not a third time? We need that energy, creativity and passion again."
NAGELSMANN'S TAKE
"Our ambition is to win the cup, so we have to win against Augsburg tomorrow. That's the job. I'm assuming they'll play like they did in the league game. That'll push us to reach the same level physically. Their attacking pressing, their counter-pressing is very good."
MORE ON THOSE TEAMS
Berisha - who scored the winner against Bayern in the league earlier this season - misses out with an ankle problem. Mads Pedersen comes in, with Demirovic moving into the central striker's position. Bauer and Gouweleeuw also return in defence following suspension. As for Bayern, Pavard and Musiala are the only changes from the 5-0 win over Freiburg. Mazraoui and Sane - both injured - make way. Neuer is still out, while Müller is only fit enough for the bench.
