Robert Lewandowski penalty enough for Bayern Munich in Augsburg
Robert Lewandowski scored a penalty, and Alfred Finnbogason missed one, as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich laboured to a 1-0 win in Augsburg.
Augsburg 0-1 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Lewandowski (pen. 13')
The only surprise at the end of a one-sided first half was that Bayern didn't have more than Lewandowski's 13th-minute penalty to show for their dominance. The Poland international sent countryman Rafal Gikiewicz the wrong way from the spot, after returning left-back Lucas Hernandez had been fouled by Rani Khedira. He had chances to add to his tally, but directed a handful of attempts over before striking the woodwork following some relentless pressure on the Augsburg back line. Thomas Müller shot wide and Serge Gnabry stung the palms of Gikiewicz, while the lively Kingsley Coman looped a header over, with the record champions rattling off 15 goal attempts to Augsburg's zero in an ominous show of muscle.
Augsburg were much improved after the restart, though, keeping keeping Bayern at arm's length whilst creating presentable opportunites of their own. A fine ball into the box from Gnabry threatened to redress the balance, only for Lewandowski's control to evade him. It was his last involvement before being replaced by Corentin Tolisso, with Leroy Sane also entering the fray for Gnabry. Daniel Caligiuri sent a speculative long-range effort over, before Iago won a penalty for a handball against Benjamin Pavard. Substitute Finnbogason stepped up, but sent his spot-kick against the foot of Manuel Neuer's right-hand post. Florian Niederlechner and Felix Uduokhai spurned late chances to level as a visibly fatigued Bayern wrapped up the Hinrunde with their four-point cushion at the top of the standings intact.
Match stats
- Bayern kept only their third clean sheet of the current Bundesliga season, and first since the Matchday 5 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Lewandowski has a Bundesliga record 22 goals after 17 matchdays. He has scored at least once in his last seven league games, as well as in his last seven away from home. The latter run matches a Bundesliga best-mark shared by four players, most recently VfB Stuttgart's Sean Dundee (2002 and 2003).
- Lewandowski has converted 44 of his 46 penalty attempts in the Bundesliga.
- Finnbogason missed a Bundesliga penalty for the first time.
- The Bundesliga leaders have never a lost a Bundesliga game involving Hernandez (W25, D4).
- Jerome Boateng made his 300th Bundesliga appearance (75 for Hamburg, 225 for Bayern).
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Line-ups
Augsburg: Gikiewicz - Oxford, Gouweleeuw (c), Uduokhai, Iago - Khedira (Strobl 46'), Gruezo - Caligiuri, Richter (Finnbogason 72'), Vargas (Jensen 72') - Hahn (Niederlechner 72')
Unused subs: Koubek, Gumny, Pedersen, Suchy, Sarenren Bazee
Out: Framberger (hamstring), Moravek (thigh)
Coach: Heiko Herrlich
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Hernandez - Kimmich, Goretzka - Gnabry (Sane 66'), Müller (Martinez 89'), Coman (Musiala 80') - Lewandowski (Tolisso 68')
Unused subs: Nübel, Süle, Costa, Davies, Sarr
Out: Nianzou (thigh), Zirkzee (suspended)
Coach: Hansi Flick
Related news
Bundesliga top scorer's race
Kane leads the way so far this campaign, but there is a wealth of attacking talents ready hot in pursuit...
Leaders Bayern thrash Leipzig
Bayern cemented their place at the top of the Bundesliga going into the winter break with a swashbuckling win over title rivals Leipzig.
Matchday 15 probable teams
The Bundesliga's recently crowned November Player of the Month, Omar Marmoush, could end 2024 as the league's top scorer if he finds the net against Mainz...