Intro
Bavarian rivals shock league leaders as Bayern’s long unbeaten run ends
Berlin
Bayern Munich’s dominance in the Bundesliga was jolted as regional rivals Augsburg produced a stunning 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena, inflicting the champions’ first league defeat of the season and underlining that supremacy in Germany does not always extend across Bavaria.
Bayern had been unbeaten in 27 Bundesliga matches and were enjoying the best start to a season in league history, but Augsburg once again proved to be their bogey side. The visitors had famously ended Bayern’s record 53-game unbeaten run in April 2014 and repeated the feat by halting another lengthy streak.
The hosts took the lead in the 23rd minute when Hiroki Ito headed home from Michael Olise’s corner. Despite controlling possession and creating chances, Bayern failed to extend their advantage, and Augsburg grew in belief as the game wore on. Augsburg midfielder Robin Fellhauer struck the crossbar before halftime, a warning sign that went unheeded.
Augsburg’s persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Arthur Chaves equalised, glancing a corner past goalkeeper Jonas Urbig. Just six minutes later, Han-Noah Massengo completed the turnaround, meeting Dimitrios Giannoulis’ cross to silence the home crowd.
Bayern pushed desperately for an equaliser, but Olise’s fierce strike crashed off the crossbar with virtually the last kick of the match. “It’s extremely annoying to lose a Bundesliga game, but the crucial thing is our reaction,” said Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich, admitting the result was probably fair.
The defeat was Bayern’s first in the league since March 8 and comes despite them sitting on 50 points with a remarkable goal difference of plus-57 after 18 rounds. Augsburg, meanwhile, earned a morale-boosting win after failing to claim a victory since early December and starting the day just three points above the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund cut Bayern’s lead to eight points with a 3-0 win at Union Berlin, keeping the title race alive with 15 rounds still to play.
