Bayern come from behind to end Augsburg's Pokal campaign
One tasty fixture lay in wait when Augsburg and Bayern Munich were pulled from the Pokal pots in the September draw. A Bavarian derby of mass proportions as both sides would compete to progress to the Round of 16. The hosts had already got the measure of their ‘Rekordmeister’ opponents in the league earlier this season. However, Bayern have looked like a different beast since their return from the international break. Tonight’s score line only reinforced that point, as Nagelsmann’s troops were made work hard for a 2-5 victory.
Demirović was first to raise the warning signals for the visitors. An early shot struck the side netting, while a subsequent chance forged with Niederlechner was snuffed out by Davies. Bayern soon found themselves trailing inside 10 minutes after an unexpectedly slow start. Rexhbacaj’s deep cross found Pedersen who shot across Ulreich’s body as the ball nestled in the bottom right corner.
Koubek made a string of fine saves to repel Davies, Musiala, and Choupo-Moting, however Bayern’s sustained pressure brought a levelling goal on 27 minutes. Gnabry teed up the aforementioned Choupo-Moting to finish at the near post as Koubek was left red-faced having attempted to pre-empt a cross. The Czech keeper redeemed himself in Bayern’s following attack as he denied Mane who seemed certain to score from Pavard’s inch perfect cross. A whopping 7 saves made by ‘Die Fuggerstädter’ goalkeeper as it remained deadlocked in the WWK Arena.
The German champions came out with intent after the interval. Gnabry’s effort deflected hit the bar having clipped Bauer’s heel. Nagelsmann’s charges turned the game on its head in the 53rd minute. Mané’s press forced Augsburg to surrender possession near their own goal. Choupo-Moting turned provider this time as Kimmich hammered home from a central position on the edge of the box. Six minutes later and Bayern put daylight between the sides as Choupo-Moting made it 1-3. The lively Cameroonian capitalised on the defensive mix up between Bauer and Iago who both failed to clear their lines.
Augsburg did reduce the arrears on 65 minutes. Having missed a good opportunity from a preceding corner, Ruben Vargas’ cross was redirected beyond Ulreich by the studs of Upamecano resulting in an own goal. The resurgence didn’t last long in the end. Bayern restored their 2-goal lead with just over 15 minutes to play. Alphonso Davies did brilliantly to nutmeg Petkov and find Musiala, as the German sensation curled to the net in style. Davies, who threatened to score all night, eventually put the icing on the cake as Müller assisted the Canadian in making it 2-5.
That’s said, Augsburg can be proud of their performances tonight. FCA fans’ banner unfurled behind Ulreich’s goal read: ‘sometimes dreams come to an end, but our love never will’. That was the case tonight as Bayern progressed, but Enrico Maaßen’s men gallantly fought tooth and nail to the bitter end.