Record and VAR Drama

Bayern salvages a point in a chaotic match against Augsburg

FC Bayern salvaged a point in a chaotic match against FC Augsburg.(Bild: AFP/KARL-JOSEF HILDENBRAND)

A record-breaking goal and VAR drama—the Bundesliga clash between Augsburg and Bayern Munich was a real rollercoaster. After conceding a goal in the eighth second and having three goals disallowed, the Munich side managed to salvage a point in the Bayern derby.

FC Bayern narrowly avoided their first loss of the season but also missed out on moving to the top of the German Bundesliga standings, partly due to a record-breaking goal. In Saturday’s Bavarian derby at FC Augsburg, the defending champions had to settle for a 2-2 (0-1) draw after falling behind twice. Augsburg stunned Bayern with the fastest goal in Bundesliga history after just 8.4 seconds, made possible by a mistake by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The derby was full of suspense and emotion. The Munich team had to weather the record-breaking goal against them, two mistakes by Neuer, two shots off the woodwork, and three goals disallowed for offside, but managed to salvage a draw thanks to Ismael Saibari (55') and Nathaniel Brown (80'). Robin Fellhauer and Rodrigo Ribeiro (65') had put the hosts ahead twice.

Neuer Allowed Record Goal
The first goal came about in a curious way. Bayern played the kickoff directly back to Neuer, who was closing in on by Fellhauer. The veteran goalkeeper tried to chip the ball over the Augsburg player but hit Fellhauer in the back. Fellhauer was then able to run alone toward the empty net and finish for a 1-0 lead.

Spurred on by the setback, Munich’s star-studded squad pushed for the equalizer—and at times created chances almost every minute. However, Munich could have conceded more goals: FCA launched several dangerous counterattacks across the field, but their finishing wasn’t up to par. In a frantic closing phase, Augsburg successfully fended off defeat.

Konrad Laimer was not on the field because the Bayern all-rounder had just become a father. His ÖFB teammate Michael Gregoritsch came on as a substitute for Augsburg in the closing minutes.

Late Loss for Ilzer and Prass
Coach Christian Ilzer and Alexander Prass (from the 71st minute) suffered a bitter defeat with TSG Hoffenheim in their home game against HSV. The Sinsheim-based club took the lead in the 53rd minute, but the game turned on its head after Bernardo received a yellow-red card (65th minute). Terem Moffi (83rd minute) and Miro Muheim (94th minute) then secured the victory for Hamburg.

Bayer Leverkusen won the matchup between the two teams previously neck-and-neck in the standings, defeating FSV Mainz 05 (featuring Stefan Posch and Philipp Mwene) on the road 4-3 (2-2) and remains in fourth place. 1. FC Union Berlin managed to turn things around thanks to a late goal by Livan Burcu (81'). On Matchday 5, the Köpenick-based team secured their first win of the season with a 1-0 (0-0) victory over promoted side SV Elversberg, led by goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof. VfB Stuttgart won 2-0 (1-0) at SC Paderborn.