FC Augsburg vs. Bayern Munich: Winners and Losers from Bundesliga Game
Considering the gulf in quality, FC Augsburg could be largely praised for remaining in a match vs. Bayern Munich for over an hour, but that talent gap was too much for the Bundesliga's 14th club to overcome.
Two Robert Lewandowski goals and a Thomas Mueller third gave the three-time defending German champions a rather comfortable 3-1 victory on Sunday in this particular Bavarian derby.
Moving eight points above second, Bayern are beginning to run away with the Bundesliga, and solid performances (as displayed today) should have their next league title secured with several games in hand.
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As for No. 14 Augsburg, just one point above the relegation-play-off zone, facing Germany's toughest club would not have been ideal, but now that the favourites are gone from their schedule, they can look forward to earning points in more evenly matched fixtures.
Winner: Robert Lewandowski
Scoring a beautifully poised goal in the 16th minute, Lewandowski opened scoring in sublime fashion. Brilliant in the 18-yard box and creating space for himself, Poland's talisman coolly slotted his shot past Augsburg goalkeeper Marwin Hitz.
In the 62nd minute, Lewandowski—showing the versatility in his game—made a fantastic run off an Augsburg centre-back, matched by an equally tremendous through ball from Thiago Alcantara. Instead of rolling the ball by Hitz, the Pole elected to take an aerial route and dispatched his chance with relative ease.
Ahead of Bayern's Champions League clash with Italian champions Juventus next week, having their most lethal finisher brimming with confidence and taking chances is a must for Bayern Munich. If Augsburg are any indication, Juve should have their hands full in nine days' time.
Winner: Douglas Costa
If any player in Bayern Munich's starting XI does not play fair, it is Douglas Costa.
The Brazilian is a fleet-footed magician. Seen one second and gone the next, he had Augsburg defenders on ice skates for the 82 minutes he was on the pitch.
Costa's game, though questioned when first bought, has proven invaluable this season. With Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery aging and oft injured, manager Pep Guardiola required a fast, tricky winger to take advantage of his expansive philosophy.
The 25-year-old Brazil international was the perfect fit.
Assisting on Mueller's goal, Costa has shown both flair and compose in possession. The outlet and pacemaker for this Bayern side, not many would have expected these displays from Costa in his first German season, but he has taken to Bayern like a fish to water.
Loser: Arturo Vidal
With three goals, three points and an eight-point gap atop the Bundesliga table, Bayern Munich had a great day's work, right? Not completely. As one summer signing flourished vs. Augsburg, another suffered an injury.
Arturo Vidal, a £28 million acquisition from Juventus, left the match after 56 minutes from a collision, according to Bayern Munich's official Twitter page. Vidal's knee had already been taped, and he was recovering from being stepped on earlier in the match.
Guardiola cannot afford to lose more players to injury.
The vital bodies of Jerome Boating, Holger Badstuber and Javi Martinez are also on Bayern's injury list. If Vidal's knock is more serious than expected, whatever European ambitions will take a dent—even if the league is looking more secure with every passing matchday.
Xavi Alonso should return from his red card suspension vs. SV Darmstadt 98 on Saturday, but strength in depth is crucial at this stage in the season. Losing Vidal (combined with others) for an extended period would be damning.
Winner: Pep Guardiola
Tactically, Guardiola got his side 100 percent correct.
One could posit with the embarrassment of riches at his disposal (especially when compared to the rest of his domestic competitors) that tactics don't really mean too much, but that would be oversimplifying things.
The Spaniard's 4-1-4-1 formation gave every component in his XI the space to utilize their best qualities. Whether positioning Mueller behind the striker, Costa wide or Alcantara pulling strings from midfield, anywhere you looked, Guardiola's XI functioned well.
Conceding a late goal and not keeping a clean sheet will annoy the former Barcelona and future Manchester City manager. But already being up 3-0 gives him a rare ability to criticise his team's concentration late in games before a crucial Feb. 23 match against Juventus in Turin, Italy.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
