Leroy Sane and Marcel Sabitzer produced below-par performances as Bayern Munich slumped to a 2-1 defeat to FC Augsburg.
Bayern Munich failed to capitalise on their winning momentum as they stumbled to a shocking 2-1 defeat to FC Augsburg on Friday night. The loss will allow second-placed Borussia Dortmund to close the gap to just one point in their upcoming game against Stuttgart on Saturday.
It was a disappointing performance from the league leaders, who were abject, to say the least. Augsburg had initially started the game with a lots of zest and aggression, often closing down the ball carriers. But they were wise enough to slow down with their press and adopted a more organised approach, which did allow Bayern to dominate but to no avail.
FCA’s patient approach paid off when Mads Pedersen scored the opener in the 23rd minute. The hosts continued to provide a threat on the counter while letting Bayern control the game. This approach eventually led to their second goal in the 35th minute, although it was quickly cancelled out by Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern Munich were far more imposing after the restart, creating numerous opportunities. But they were lacking the sharpness and the end product in the final third, as they struggled to find the back of the net. Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over the Bayern players in their shocking defeat to Augsburg on Friday.
2 – For the first time since March/April 2007, FC Bayern have lost two Bundesliga matches in a row against teams sitting in the bottom half of the table, suffering as many defeats as in the 101 such matchups before combined. Surprise. #FCAFCB pic.twitter.com/dN9JeFkSGF
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 19, 2021
Manuel Neuer: 6/10
It was a disappointing night in goal for Manuel Neuer. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper was rather easily beaten on two occasions in the first half. He was solid and alert for the most part, but pulling off at least one save could have led to a different result altogether.
Benjamin Pavard: 6/10
Benjamin Pavard was rattled in the first half as Augsburg duo Iago and Mads Pedersen consistently bombarded his flank. It made life difficult for the Frenchman, who is already enduring a poor season. He looked much more comfortable after the restart, but only because Augsburg were not pushing forward.
Dayot Upamecano: 6.5/10
Dayot Upamecano wasn’t the worst performer of the game for Bayern Munich. But one would expect far better from a quality defender like him, as the former Leipzig star struggled to impose his dominance on Andi Zeqiri and Andre Hahn. Impressed in the second half, not only with his defensive solidity but also the willingness to march forward with the ball.
Lucas Hernandez: 6/10
Lucas Hernandez had a difficult night dealing with the threat of Hahn. The German’s strong physique made it tough for the Bayern Munich defender to impose himself. It led to an uncomfortable evening for the centre-back, who looked a bit better after the restart.
Omar Richards: 5.5/10
Omar Richards was given a rare opportunity ahead of Alphonso Davies, who was coming on the back of a long journey from Edmonton, Alberta. The former Birmingham starlet failed to make a lasting impression, although he was defensively solid.
Marcel Sabitzer: 5/10
Marcel Sabitzer was filling in for Joshua Kimmich in the middle of the park. However, the former Leipzig captain had a rough time as he failed to make things happen in the final third and lacked proper communication with his teammates. He was promptly taken off early on in the second half.
Please remind me why exactly we bought Sabitzer?
— ?? RobertRD – realist ?? (@RobertRDBayern) November 19, 2021
Leon Goretzka: 6.5/10
Leon Goretzka produced a good shift in central midfield, always establishing himself as a strong outlet in physical or aerial duels in midfield. It proved to be extremely useful for the Bavarians, but with the absence of Kimmich, the German international lacked proper support in the middle of the park, especially with Sabitzer struggling.
Serge Gnabry: 5.5/10
Serge Gnabry had a disappointing evening up against the Augsburg defence. He was unable to make an impression, often getting isolated out wide. While he did make a few good runs into the byline, the end product in his crosses were always missing, leading to a lack of chance creation for Bayern.
Me to Kimmich after seeing Gnabry's corner-kicks pic.twitter.com/1k90Pl1bBL
— Stop That Neuer (@Goatkeeper1_) November 19, 2021
Thomas Muller: 6/10
Thomas Muller was another Bayern Munich star who struggled to perform on the night. He was not as influential with his movements as Augsburg acted narrowly, which opened up spaces in the wider areas rather than the central zones where Muller was operating.
Leroy Sane: 5/10
It was one of the worst games for Leroy Sane so far, as the Man City winger channelled his early-season form. He looked abject in possession, failing to craft scoring opportunities despite showing pace and trickery in the final third. He was taken off during the final phase of the game.
Robert Lewandowski: 7/10
Robert Lewandowski had a quiet game by his lofty standards. With Gnabry, Sane and Muller struggling, coupled with the absence of Kimmich, the striker was devoid of too many goalscoring opportunities. In fact, he deserves credit for scoring Bayern’s only goal of the game through an instinctive volley.
Substitutes
Jamal Musiala: 7.5/10
Jamal Musiala came on for Sabitzer around the 52nd-minute mark. He was far better than any of the other Bayern attackers, offering a spark that was missing for the entirety of the first half. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to help Bayern stage a comeback.
Since Musiala came on, he's been 5 levels above everyone else on the pitch. Yet he's gonna get benched next game again.#Justice4Musiala
— Bayern Fan TV – Prince (@TheBayernFanTV) November 19, 2021
Alphonso Davies: 7/10
Alphonso Davies also had an impactful performance in the second half. But much like Musiala, he was often denied by the dogged Augsburg defence.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: 6/10
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting offered more physical presence in the final third after coming on for Sane in the 69th minute.
Tanguy Nianzou: N/A
A late replacement for Pavard. Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
