Bayern Munich 1-1 Augsburg: Felix Gotze nets late leveller as Augsburg snatch point at Bayern Munich

Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2018 by PA

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich saw their perfect start to the new season come to an end as Bavarian neighbours Augsburg snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena.

Renato Sanches, forward Sandro Wagner and winger Serge Gnabry – among those drafted into the team by Bayern boss Niko Kovac – all saw first-half chances saved by busy Augsburg goalkeeper Andreas Luthe.

It was, though, veteran Dutchman Arjen Robben who finally broke the visitors’ resistance just three minutes into the second half after being set up by Gnabry.

Despite continuing to press, Bayern could not add a second, with a late effort from substitute Franck Ribery ruled out for offside in the build up.

It proved a key decision as, with just four minutes left, defender Felix Gotze, returning to face his his former club, knocked the ball in from close range after Manuel Neuer dropped a routine catch from a corner.

Augsburg had made the short trip to the Allianz Arena more in hope than genuine expectation of a shock result following successive defeats.

The visitors, though, were presented with an early chance as Caiuby broke clear into the right side of the Bayern penalty area, only to then fire an angled shot straight at Neuer rather than look to square the ball.

Bayern were soon on the offensive, with Thomas Muller capitalising on some hesitation from the Augsburg defence to see his deflected shot come back off the post.

Sanches was coming more into the match, and fired a low shot wide before Wagner headed over.

The Portuguese midfielder saw a long-range effort saved by Luthe, who then also denied Wanger at the near post after the striker broke onto a stray backpass.

Luthe was a busy man and had to be alert again just before the break when he pushed a low drive from Gnabry around the post as the ball looked set for the far corner.

Bayern finally broke the Augsburg resistance just three minutes after the restart.

Gnabry was sent clear onto a long ball down the centre before he feed Robben, who cut back inside past the goalkeeper before crashing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net.

With Augsburg very much now in damage limitation mode, Bayern remained on the offensive.

Substitute David Alaba tested Luthe again with a free-kick, before Bayern had what they thought was a second goal ruled out after 84 minutes which Ribery tapped in, but Muller was ruled narrowly offside during the build-up.

It proved a key decision as – with just four minutes left – Neuer fumbled a corner as he jumped in the six-yard box and the ball was knocked back by Jeffrey Gouweleeuw for Gotze, who left Bayern in the summer, to push it over the line with his chest.

In stoppage time, Thiago could not keep his header down when coming in at the far post as Augsburg closed out a memorable result to leave Bayern now just two points clear of Werder Bremen.