Augsburg end Bayern's Munich unbeaten start and scoring streak
Augsburg inflicted a first defeat of the season on Bayern Munich, and became the first team to stop the record champions from scoring in 87 Bundesliga matches.
Augsburg 1-0 Bayern Munich
Goals: 1-0 Berisha 59' (assist: Iago)
Bayern had beaten Barcelona 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, but that didn't stop Augsburg sticking it to the record champions in the Bavarian derby. Florian Niederlechner set the tone for a furious first half with a breakaway shot into the ground that warmed the palms of Manuel Neuer. Sadio Mane and Leroy Mane had quick-fire openings at the other end, but Rafal Gikiewicz was equal to them. Sane then steered an Alphonso Davies cross narrowly wide of the far post, before Niederlechner returned fire with a fierce strike that Neuer could only parry. The chances in full flow, Jamal Musiala placed a shot from inside the box too close to Gikiewicz. Robert Bauer sent a free header over soon after, before putting in a goal-saving challenge to stop Leon Goretzka applying the finishing touch to Musiala's flicked cross from the left.
Goretzka and Sadio Mane tried their luck from distance early in the second half, but the first real opportunity went the way of Augsburg. The high press forced Neuer into a hurried clearance, picked up by Elvis Rexhbecaj. Despite having at least three teammates to aim for as Bayern scrambled to get back, he completely overhit his attempted cross. Bayern didn't heed the warning. Iago directed a free-kick from deep towards the unmarked Mergim Berisha, who calmly side-footed home from 10 yards to give the hosts the lead. Thomas Müller tried to redress the balance, but his low shot was turned away by Gikiewicz. The Augsburg No.1 pulled off an even better save to thwart Sane one-on-one, as well as the ensuing attempted clearance that was redirected goalwards somewhat unknowingly by substitute Serge Gnabry. Neuer went up for a late corner for an increasingly desperate Bayern, but his goal-bound header was beaten away by Gikiewicz as Bayern, dropping to fourth in the table, failed to win for the fourth league game in a row.
Match stats
- Augsburg beat Bayern at home for the second time on the spin. It was their first home win of the season.
- Bayern are without a win in four Bundesliga matches for the first time since 2001.
- RB Leipzig - coached by Julian Nagelsmann at the time - were the last team to stop Bayern from scoring in the Bundesliga (9 February 2020).
- Berisha has scored against Bayern twice before - for Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League.
- Neuer equalled Sepp Maier’s number of Bundesliga appearances (473).
- Mane has not scored in the Bundesliga since netting a brace in Bochum on Matchday 3.
Get Gikiewicz for your Fantasy team for 6.6M!
Watch: Julian Nagelsmann - 'Right now, it's not much fun for me'
Teams
Augsburg: Gikiewicz - Gumny, Bauer, Gouweleeuw (c), Iago (Vargas 75') - Gruezo, Rexhbecaj - Hahn, Niederlechner (Jensen 75'), Berisha (Petkov 90'+4) - Demirovic (Pedersen 67')
Unused subs: Klein, Framberger, Maier, Baumgartlinger, Caligiuri
Out: Dorsch (metatarsal), Oxford (knee), Sarenren Bazee (cruciate ligament), Strobl (knee), Uduokhai (ankle), Winther (muscular)
Coach: Enrico Maaßen
Bayern: Neuer (c) - Mazraoui (Gnabry 62'), Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka (Sabitzer 69') - Sane, Müller, Musiala (Stanisic 78') - Mane (Choupo-Moting 78')
Unused subs: Ulreich, Pavard, Wanner, Gravenberch, Tel
Out: Coman (muscular), Hernandez (groin), Sarr (patella tendon)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Watch: Matthijs de Ligt - 'We miss a certain killer mentality'
Related news
Bundesliga top scorer's race
Harry Kane top scored with 36 goals last season, but there is a wealth of attacking talents ready to vie for his crown in 2024/25...
How do Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig stack up?
Bayern take on recent rivals Leipzig in their final game before the winter break. The record champions vs. the young pretenders - how do they compare?
Tim Kleindienst: Germany's best number nine?
The late bloomer is in pole position to lead the line for Gernany ahead of the 2026 World Cup...