Yellow-red for Schlotterbeck
©IMAGO
In the icy Munich stadium, FC Bayern’s goal machine only warmed up against FC Augsburg after a long start-up phase. At 3-0 (0-0), the German record champions first needed two penalties converted by Harry Kane to secure a deserved victory and extend their lead in the standings to a clear eight points at the opening of the 11th day of the Bundesliga.
Until the handball of Augsburg’s Mads Pedersen, which referee Daniel Schlager penalized in the 63rd minute according to video images, Bayern’s offensive around Kane and the busy Jamal Musiala had gone in vain. In added time, Kane scored again from the spot after the striker was fouled by Keven Schlotterbeck. The FCA defender then saw yellow-red. Shortly after, Kane also completed his hat trick and was therefore the man of the evening. At first, the good FCA goalkeeper Nediljko Labrovic or a defensive leg from Augsburg became the last stop for the attacks.
After the well-deserved victory and the sixth victory in a row without a cage, the Munich stars can look forward to the upcoming dazzling matches in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain, in the league against eternal rival Borussia Dortmund and finally in the DFB. – Cup against defending champion Bayer Leverkusen.
A big personnel question mark was resolved on Friday evening, a full hour before kick-off, when Bayern captain Manuel Neuer took to the newly laid out pitch at the Allianz Arena to warm up. Despite rib problems, the 38-year-old declared himself fit for action. “He has experience, he knows his body, you have to give him confidence,” coach Vincent Kompany explained on the “DAZN” streaming service. It was not a busy evening for Neuer – the Augsburg team practically only played in reverse.
The focus was on FCA goalkeeper Labrovic in front of 75,000 spectators. For a long time, the Croatian national goalkeeper was the insurmountable support behind the guests, who often defended very deep. Bayern ran relentlessly. But no matter who shot or directed, whether it was driver Musiala, Kane or Leon Goretzka who was needed again in Munich’s midfield, Labrovic held it all together for a long time.
Before the break, Augsburg coach Jess Thorup had to replace full-back Dimitrios Giannoulis, who suffered a thigh injury. Pedersen came on for the Greek – and then won the penalty after a corner from Michael Olise with an unsuccessful defensive action.
Bayern coach Kompany took advantage of the break during Giannoulis’ treatment to hold a short tactical meeting with his players on the sidelines. Musiala and Co. were looking for solutions to break down the FCA’s bulwark. But that lasted until the second half. Goretzka headed towards the crossbar (49th), Labrovic stopped a shot from Olise (51st).
Then Kane was allowed to go straight to goal and also converted his ninth penalty in the Bundesliga. The impeccable penalty record continued into stoppage time. The Munich team previously acted more controlled than greedy for more goals. Musiala once again failed with a powerful shot against Labrovic (83rd), Augsburg’s best. But he was also helpless against Kane’s second penalty. And the Englishman did even better with his 14th goal of the season.
