Bayern Munich fought back from a goal down to secure a 3-1 victory against their Bavarian rivals Augsburg at the WWK Arena on Friday night, in the opening match of Bundesliga round 28. The win extends Bayern’s lead at the top of the table to nine points over Bayer Leverkusen, who travel to Heidenheim on Saturday.
The initial stages of the contest were cagey, with Leroy Sané posing the only real threat for the visitors. His mistimed volley early on was comfortably saved by Augsburg keeper Finn Dahmen, and just minutes later, he could only find the side netting after being played in by Jamal Musiala. Augsburg’s first meaningful chance came midway through the first half when Samuel Essende’s cross flashed harmlessly wide.
After Michael Olise’s free-kick was easily dealt with by Dahmen, Augsburg stunned the champions on the half-hour mark. A quickly taken midfield free-kick by captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw caught Bayern napping, allowing Dimitrios Giannoulis to connect with the delivery. He took a neat touch to create space before unleashing a powerful shot off the underside of the bar, giving the home side an unexpected lead.
However, Bayern responded swiftly. Just three minutes before the break, Sané turned provider, cutting in from the left flank and finding Musiala. The young midfielder displayed excellent strength to hold off challenges from both Gouweleeuw and Cédric Zesiger before turning and firing a clinical shot into the net, leveling the score.
The second half began with a setback for the league leaders as Musiala was forced off with a hamstring injury just five minutes after the restart. Shortly after, Sané teed up Olise, whose first-time strike rattled the Augsburg crossbar.
The game swung decisively in Bayern’s favor just before the hour mark when Zesiger, already on a yellow card, gifted possession to Harry Kane. In a desperate attempt to win the ball back, he slid in and brought down the England captain, earning himself a second yellow card and an early bath from referee Matthias Jöllenbeck. From the resulting free-kick, Olise delivered a delightful ball into the box, and Kane rose to head home from close range, giving Bayern a crucial 2-1 lead.
Bayern Munich then professionally managed the game, securing the victory in stoppage time. A deflected effort from Sané inside the left corner of the box sealed the 3-1 win and marked his 50th Bundesliga goal.
Augsburg’s first league defeat of 2025 dents their hopes of securing European football next season. However, Bayern Munich will be anxiously awaiting updates on the fitness of Jamal Musiala, with crucial fixtures against Inter Milan in Europe and Borussia Dortmund domestically looming next week.
