Bayern Munich's record unbeaten run was finally ended as
they suffered a first Bundesliga defeat in 54 games with a 1-0 loss at
Augsburg.
The Bavarians have already clinched the earliest league
title in Bundesliga history, defending their crown this season with seven games
to spare, and the records have continued to tumble after a sequence that had
not seen them beaten domestically in the top flight since October 2012 against
Bayer Leverkusen.
Augsburg seemed unlikely to be the ones to trouble that
record, heading into the match without a win in their last four league
fixtures, but a 31st-minute strike from forward Sascha Molders gave them an
historic victory.
The frontman made a superb run behind the Bayern defence
after the champions had lost possession on the left, latching on to Daniel
Baier's throughball to fire home the winner.
Bayern pushed for an equaliser from that point, sending
on regulars Thomas Muller, David Alaba and Mario Gotze in the second half to
give them a more familiar look after coach Pep Guardiola had named a
much-changed side.
Mario Mandzukic should have equalised after 46 minutes
but he headed wide as they failed to find the expected breakthrough.
Guardiola made a host of changes to the side that drew
with Manchester United in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg
clash during midweek with Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and
Javi Martinez the only ones to retain their places.
Perhaps sensing an opportunity, Augsburg started
strongly, with Matthias Ostrzolek testing Neuer after just two minutes with a
long-range shot.
The champions were again under early pressure when
Schweinsteiger conceded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area after a
foul on Halil Altintop, although the set-piece was dealt with by the Munich
wall.
Bayern's first attempt came after nine minutes when
Xherdan Shaqiri let the ball run across his body then sent a low driven shot
just wide of the left-hand post.
Guardiola's much-changed side looked far from their usual
dominant selves, with Augsburg finding constant gaps in their defence.
Neuer was called into action again after 10 minutes when
Alexander Esswein beat the offside trap to find a way through on goal, but the
Germany shot-stopper was quickest to the ball and cleared the danger.
Altintop could then have put Augsburg in front after 25
minutes when he latched onto Esswein's low cross from the right, but Neuer once
again stood tall.
Gradually, Bayern began to assert control and Claudio
Pizarro almost found a way through from a Shaqiri pass.
Augsburg took the lead 14 minutes from half-time, though,
as Molders punished Munich when they lost possession on the left - the striker
running in behind the defence to receive a throughball from Baier and fire
home.
Guardiola opted to make two second-half changes, with
Gotze introduced at the break replacing Shaqiri and Alaba coming on for Ylli
Sallahi shortly afterwards.
Mandzukic then missed a superb chance to level the match
inside a minute of the restart when he headed over from close range.
Neuer had to be alert to stop Bayern from going further
behind with a strong save in a one-on-one situation with Esswein as Augsburg
continued to push.
Raul Bobadilla then went even closer to doubling the lead
late on, as his shot struck the post.
Culled from Soccerway
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