European roundup: Bayern drop to fourth after shock defeat by Augsburg

  • 9/17/2022
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Bayern Munich suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Augsburg in the Bundesliga to stretch their winless run to four consecutive league matches and drop to fourth place. Mërgim Berisha slotted in a cutback with a composed finish in the 59th minute to seal the three points and pile more pressure on Bayern’s coach, Julian Nagelsmann. The hosts were not intimidated by the champions at any stage and their seven shots on goal were almost double Bayern’s total in the opening half. The Bavarian side, fresh from their Champions League group win over Barcelona in midweek, lacked a clinical finish, with both Sadio Mané and Leroy Sané having their share of chances. Augsburg’s Rafal Gikiewicz made several fine saves. Youssoufa Moukoko’s powerful header gave Borussia Dortmund a 1-0 victory over Schalke in the Ruhr valley derby to send them top of the Bundesliga. The 17‑year‑ old headed in at the far post in the 79th minute to take Dortmund to the summit on 15 points. There was bad news for their captain, Marco Reus, who was carried off with what looked like a serious ankle injury. The Germany international, who was called up for the Nations League matches against Hungary and England this month, had turned his ankle in the 32nd minute. Union Berlin, the surprise early leaders, will be top again if they beat Wolfsburg on Sunday, while third‑placed Freiburg could move up to first if they win at Hoffenheim and Union fall short. Borussia Mönchengladbach outclassed RB Leipzig 3-0, with two goals from Germany international Jonas Hofmann helping sink their opponents deeper into crisis. Gladbach midfielder Hofmann opened his account in the 11th minute and then doubled their lead when Marcus Thurman pounced on a mistake by Leipzig’s David Raum, sprinted clear and then flicked a pass with the outside of his boot to Hofmann. The visitors had a couple of chances through Andre Silva in the first half but Gladbach were in control throughout and Ramy Bensebaini added a third. In Spain, the former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski continued his insatiable run in front of goal by scoring twice while Memphis Depay also got on the scoresheet as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win at home to struggling Elche. The victory took Barça top of La Liga on 16 points from six games although Real Madrid, on 15, will return to the summit if they win at Atlético Madrid on Sunday. Barcelona’s task was made easier when the bottom side’s centre‑back Gonzalo Verdú was sent off in the 14th minute for pulling Lewandowski’s shirt as the striker was about to reach the area. Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 34th minute, arriving deep in the area to knock in a cross from Alejandro Balde and score for the fifth consecutive game in La Liga. Memphis scored a magnificent goal to double Barcelona’s lead in the 41st minute while Lewandowski grabbed his second early in the second half, pouncing inside the area after Memphis had fought hard to win back the ball. Athletic Bilbao are up to third after beating Rayo Vallecano 3-2. Brothers Iñaki and Nico Williams each scored in the home win that means the Basque side, coached by former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, equal their best start to a season since 1993. Oihan Sancet also scored for Bilbao. Óscar Trejo and Radamel Falcao were on target for Vallecano.

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