Two goals from Benjamin Pavard and a first in Bayern Munich colours for Joao Cancelo helped the Bundesliga leaders romp to a 5-3 home victory over Augsburg, placing the pressure back on challengers Borussia Dortmund who play later on Saturday.
Four of Bayern’s five goals came from defenders, calming fears the side may be toothless after the pre-game scratch of striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala said his side “was getting back into the swing of things” but was disappointed they conceded three goals at home.
“The start was unfortunate. We showed a good reaction. Each of those three goals were goals we shouldn’t concede,” the 20-year-old said. We are angry about it. We always want to keep a clean sheet.”
Augsburg hit the lead after just two minutes through Mergim Berisha, who scored the only goal in his team’s surprise 1-0 win over Bayern in September. Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann praised his side’s “important reaction” after the early setback, but lamented “taking our foot off the pedal at the end” of the match.
Sensing a potential upset, the home side upped the intensity and replied after 15 minutes through Cancelo, who scored his first goal for Bayern since joining them on loan from Manchester City at the end of January.
Pavard then struck twice to swing the match in Bayern’s favour, the first a poacher’s finish in the box and the second an elegant chip over Augsburg ‘keeper Rafal Gikiewicz.
Leroy Sane scored Bayern’s fourth on the cusp of halftime. The home side remained in control even though Berisha converted a second half penalty. He now has five goals in four matches against Bayern.
Canada wing-back Alphonso Davies added a fifth late in the match to seal a dominant win and head off any hopes of a comeback from the visiting team, with Augsburg’s Irvin Cardona getting a consolation goal in injury time.
Sadio Mane, making his first start since the injury in November the kept him out of Senegal’s World Cup squad, laid on two assists and had a second-half strike ruled out for offside.
Bayern moved three points clear of Dortmund who were visiting bitter local rivals Schalke later on Saturday. Bayern, who qualified for the last eight of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, have won eight of their past nine in all competitions.
RB Leipzig climbed up to third with a comfortable 3-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach at home thanks to second-half goals from Timo Werner, Emil Forsberg and Josko Gvardiol. Gladbach’s French striker Alassane Plea missed a penalty early in the second half and the home side punished the mistake almost immediately through Werner.
Forsberg added one of his own from the spot before Gvardiol sealed the match with ten minutes remaining. Eintracht Frankfurt missed a chance to put more pressure on the top four, held to a 1-1 draw at home against Stuttgart.
Frankfurt captain Sebastian Rode’s deflected shot had given his side the lead midway through the second half, but Stuttgart striker Silas scored with 15 minutes remaining. In the German capital, Hertha Berlin picked up a valuable point in their relegation battle, playing out a 1-1 draw against Mainz.
Source: eNCA
In other news – Nota gets 60 days in prison for contempt of court
Controversial music executive Nota Baloyi has been found guilty by the Joburg High Court for contempt of court and sentenced to direct imprisonment for 60 days.
The court issued an order on Thursday after the tearaway blogger cocked a snook at the court order obtained by musician K.O to refrain from disseminating. Learn more