AUGSBURG: This time, another goal from Robert Lewandowski wasn’t enough for Bayern Munich.

Bundesliga leaders Bayern suffered a shock 2-1 loss at Augsburg who struck twice against the run of play in the first half and held on after Lewandowski pulled a goal back to record a memorable victory in Friday’s Bavarian derby.

Goals from Mads Pedersen and Andre Hahn in the 23rd and 36th minutes put the hosts in the driving seat, before Lewandowski reduced the arrears in the 38th, as Augsburg earned their third win in 21 Bundesliga matches against Bayern, who were without Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich who is back in quarantine after contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

The result snapped Bayern’s four-game winning run in the league but they are still top of the table on 28 points, provisionally four ahead of Borussia Dortmund. Augsburg’s victory lifted them out of the relegation zone into 15th place.

“For us, this is of course a bitter setback in how we see ourselves, how we actually want to play the games,” Thomas Mueller said after his 600th competitive game for Bayern “We need that every match, this confirmation that we’re the ones who dictate and dominate the games. And that doesn’t mean ball possession, but the way and manner in which you play on an opponent.”

Augsburg started with intent, playing at pace and caught Bayern with a sucker punch when Pedersen powered home a low shot for his maiden Bundesliga goal.

With Bayern, who visit Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League next week, struggling to create chances, Augsburg struck again.

Bayern’s Marcel Sabitzer lost possession in his own half and Hahn rose above the defence to head in a perfect Iago cross.

The celebrations of the home fans were dampened two minutes later when Bundesliga top scorer Lewandowski netted his 14th league goal from a Mueller assist to cut the deficit.

But Augsburg remained disciplined in defence after the break and looked comfortable as they soaked up the Bayern pressure.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2021

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