FC Augsburg nearly put an end to Bayern Munich\u2019s unbeaten run in the Bundesliga two seasons in a row after scoring in the sixth second, courtesy of a Manuel Neuer blunder. However, Bayern clawed back a one goal deficit on two separate occasions, playing out to a hard-fought 2-2 draw.<\/p>\n
Here are the awards from Bayern\u2019s narrow escape.<\/p>\n
This award could have gone to anyone, from the coach down to the players \u2014 Augsburg were near perfect.<\/p>\n
Lets start with the defence. Finn Dahmen, Abdulai Juma Bah, Chrislain Matsima, and Calvin Brackelman, take a bow. Dahmen\u2019s saves, combined with the discipline and physicality of Augsburg\u2019s three centre-backs, acted as the core of Augsburg\u2019s rock-solid defence.<\/p>\n
Augsburg\u2019s left flank came into the game with a very difficult problem to solve: Michael Olise. Well, it turns a mishmash of Hennes Behrens, Arijon Ibrahimovi\u0107, and an insatiable defensive appetite was the perfect solution. Behrens and Ibrahimovi\u0107 worked tirelessly to neutralise the Frenchman, limiting him to half chances only.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s the attack: far from military-grade firepower, but as efficient as a Swiss watch. Their chances were few and far between, but when they arrived, Augsburg grabbed them with both hands and didn\u2019t let go.<\/p>\n
Plaudits to Manuel Baum and his Augsburg team. They set up perfectly and proved to be a thorn in Bayern\u2019s side once again.<\/p>\n
Der Kaiser: Dayot Upamecano<\/p>\n
A handful of high-profile mistakes were the only thing separating Dayot Upamecano from becoming an elite-level centre-back. The Frenchman long since ironed out those errors; his performance against Augsburg is another piece of proof that he is now one of the best defenders in the world.<\/p>\n
Upamecano\u2019s physicality is a vital piece of his game and Kompany\u2019s high press. The 27-year-old mopped up countless Augsburg counter-attacks with his recovery pace and strength. He\u2019s no slouch on the ball either, occasionally resembling an additional midfielder.<\/p>\n
Despite his team conceding two goals, the Frenchman still had a solid game.<\/p>\n
Fu\u00dfballgott: Aleksandar Pavlovi\u0107<\/p>\n
Aleksandar Pavlovi\u0107 continued his strong run of form following a successful international break with the German national team.<\/p>\n
Pavlovi\u0107 is a smooth operator on the ball, but it\u2019s his off the ball work that has seen a massive improvement. Combative and strong, the 22-year-old midfielder helped Bayern win the ball high up in the opposing half. It\u2019s too bad Bayern couldn\u2019t muster up many meaningful chances off the back of his contributions.<\/p>\n
After a middling 2025\/26 season, Pavlovi\u0107 looks primed and ready to cement himself as one of footballs top-tier midfielders.<\/p>\n
N\u00e9stor Lorenzo\u2019s decision to omit Luis D\u00edaz from Colombia\u2019s latest international squad, allowing the winger to rest instead, is already paying dividends for Bayern.<\/p>\n
D\u00edaz looked renewed and refreshed, causing all sorts of problems down Augsburg\u2019s right flank. Whether drawing defenders out of position or beating his man, the Colombian international always did something useful in possession of the ball.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s too soon to say D\u00edaz is back to the levels he achieved last season, but his performance against Augsburg was certainly a step in the right direction after a disappointing start to the season.<\/p>\n
Honourable Attacking Mentions<\/p>\n
Ismael Saibari \u2014 The Moroccan international was involved in every meaningful attack Bayern had in the first half. He was eventually awarded with his second Bundesliga goal of the season after almost having his eye gauged out.<\/p>\n
Serge Gnabry \u2014 Gnabry made a massive impact off the bench. The 31-year-old shook things up in the attack constantly positioning himself in dangerous areas. He came extremely close to bagging a goal, but the Augsburg defence remained defiant.<\/p>\n
Nathaniel Brown \u2014 The 23-year-old scored a much needed goal off the bench. He came on and did exactly what he needed to do. Another display of Bayern\u2019s quality off the bench.<\/p>\n
Meister of the Match: Harry Kane<\/p>\n
This was probably a sub-par game by Harry Kane\u2019s standard; yet, he produced a Man-of-the-Match performance \u2014 a testament to the levels that the English striker is operating at.<\/p>\n
While Kane failed to emulate his goal scoring form with England across the international break, he still played a vital role in the attack, picking up two assists. He could have had a few more after assisting two of Bayern\u2019s three off-side goals in the second half.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old bagsman\u2019s influence goes beyond scoring goals. Today he played creator. Perhaps next week he will be back in goal-scoring form. Either way, he won\u2019t allow any defence a moments rest.<\/p>\n