FC Bayern celebrated a goal-rich win against FC Augsburg after a false start. Three days after reaching the quarterfinals in the Champions League, Munich celebrated an entertaining 5:3 (4:1) in the Bundesliga after an early 0:1 deficit.
After a generous rotation, newly promoted João Cancelo (15'), Benjamin Pavard (19'/35') and Leroy Sané (45') were in a goal mood, as was Alphonso Davies (74').
Before these goals, the Munich team had to digest the goal after just 120 seconds with a contrite expression from Bayern fright Mergim Berisha. The U21 European champions, who campaigned for themselves just under a week before the national team were nominated by national coach Hansi Flick, also reduced the deficit to 2: 4 (60th penalty kick) in front of 75,000 spectators. The winning goal scorer from 1-0 in the first leg scored in all four compulsory games with Salzburg and Augsburg against Munich. But that didn't change anything at the consolidated top of the table for the series champions, nor did Irvin Cardona's 3:5 (90.3).
Cancelo and Pavard shine
Unlike the two successes in the two round of 16 games without conceding a goal against Paris Saint-Germain, the zero against Augsburg did not last. FCA rewarded themselves for a brave approach with an early lead. The tactic was at the expense of the defensive in the fifth away bankruptcy this year.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann was delighted that the stars Cancelo, Pavard, Sané and Sadio Mané, who were newly called into the starting XI, shone as goalscorers or assists. Only Serge Gnabry didn't succeed.
Loaned by Manchester City, Cancelo got the ball rolling after a frustrating few days on the bench. Portugal's World Cup player tricked Augsburg's somewhat clumsy defender Mads Pedersen on the right wing and shot in for a quick equaliser.
Pavard then played his first brace into a small goal frenzy. After a free-kick by Joshua Kimmich was blocked, Mané acrobatically activated the ball with an overhead kick, Pavard completed it. The Frenchman's next goal was a rarity because it fell after one of Kimmich's corners, which was so often unsuccessful. Although Matthijs de Ligt's header was blocked, Pavard was there with a scissor hit.
The 26-year-old Pavard, who was locked in the stands in the 2-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain, has been in good form for weeks. After repeatedly flirting with a change, it seems that the collaboration, which has been dated until 2024, will be extended.
Mané goal disallowed for offside
After the three hits by defenders, an attacker also joined in. Referee Florian Badstübner let the advantage run after a foul on Jamal Musiala. Sané used this after renewed preliminary work by Mané for the break. Africa's Footballer of the Year Mané, who had been out injured for a long time and missed the World Cup, was back in the starting line-up for the first time since early November. An own goal did not count because of an offside position (51st).
Bayern kept up the pressure, and Berisha's 2:4 didn't change that. De Ligt had previously fouled substitute Cardona. The Munich attacks sometimes lacked precision and consistency - otherwise the victory would have been even clearer. After preparatory work by Cancelo, Davies increased it to 5:2. For him, Noussair Mazraoui made a comeback in the closing stages after pericarditis.
