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·27 August 2023
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·27 August 2023
After comfortably beating Werder Bremen 4-0 on the opening day, Bayern Munich again put in a commanding performance against Bavarian neighbours Augsburg on Matchday 2. Thomas Tuchel was forced into a chance following an injury in midweek to Jamal Musiala, which resulted in a return to the starting XI for Serge Gnabry, who played alongside Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman behind Harry Kane, who made his home Bundesliga debut.
Sané – who achieved a match rating of 9 last weekend – was again involved in Bayern Munich’s opening goal. Finding space between Ermedin Demirović and Mads Pedersen, the German’s shot was saved by Finn Dahmann but deflected off Felix Uduokhai and then the post to trickle over the line, with goal line technology signalling that the ball had crossed the line.
It then took Bayern Munich just eight minutes to double their lead after former Bayern Munich youth academy product Niklas Dorsch handled the ball in the area in an effort to block the ball. After consulting VAR, Daniel Siebert pointed to the spot. The resulting penalty was dispatched by Harry Kane, his second Bundesliga goal in successive games.
Demirović, Sven Michel and Mergim Berisha still proved problematic but Bayern Munich’s defence coped with the physicality of the Augsburg trio. In the latter stages, the Rekordmeister dominated possession, and added to their tally with Kane’s second of the evening, and his third Bundesliga goal. The Englishman got on the end of Alphonso Davies’ pass to slot the ball past Dahmann, a finish that looked effortless. Dion Beljo did pull a goal back for Augsburg, who remained composed to slot the ball past Sven Ulreich late on.
Bayern Munich top the Bundesliga alongside Union Berlin while Bayer Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and Freiburg are on level points but are behind on goal difference. Tuchel will be disappointed to concede a goal late on, but it’s next weekend when Bayern face their first difficult test of the season at Borussia Mönchengladbach, a team that have got the better of the Rekordmeister in the last couple of meetings.
Sven Ulreich, 5
Noussair Mazraoui, 7
Dayot Upamecano, 7
Kim Min-jae, 6
Alphonso Davies, 8
Joshua Kimmich, 7
Leon Goretzka, 7
Serge Gnabry, 7
Leroy Sané, 8 – Arguably Bayern Munich’s best player again. Sané, who has had somewhat of a mixed career since his move from Manchester City, again shined in Tuchel’s system. His understanding with Mazraoui is game-changing and the German again flourished. Augsburg’s defence struggled to contain Sané,
Kingsley Coman, 7 – Somewhat of a changed role for the Frenchman. When out of position, played a lot closer to Kimmich and Goretzka in what was more of a midfield trio. When in possession, like last weekend, always looked to take on his opponent but was somewhat lacked in an end product. Just like Mazraoui and Sané last week, Coman and Davies are both starting to understand each other in Tuchel’s system.
Harry Kane, 8 – A brace for Kane. He doubled Bayern Munich’s lead from the spot before adding his second of the evening after getting on the end of a superb pass by Davies. Composed from the spot to go straight down the middle, but his second an even better finish- one that he made look so easy. That’s 3 goals in 2 games for the Englishman.
Others: Matthijs de Ligt (-), Konrad Laimer (6), Ryan Gravenberch (-), Thomas Müller (-), Mathys Tel (-)
Ermedin Demirović, 6 – The Bosnian brushed Mazraoui aside after getting on the end of Michel’s through pass, but spurned his excellent chance that would have gave Augsburg the lead midway through the first half.
Sven Michel, 6 – Dropped deeper to allow Demirović to cut in from the left and play ahead of the German. Proved problematic in the opening stages at 0-0, and always looked to bring teammates into play. His performance dwindled after the break but can be an important player for Augsburg this season.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder