FC Bayern taste defeat for the first time in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season.
FC Augsburg’s 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena proved that even Vincent Kompany’s mighty Bayern Munich are capable of defeat.
Here are the takeaways from the bitter loss.
Bayern Munich indestructible no more
Bayern Munich’s immense unbeaten run in the Bundesliga was always bound to end eventually, but you’d never have expected it to come at the hands of a 15th-placed Augsburg side mired in a relegation scrap. That is now a bitter reality, confirmed by a nauseating 2-1 scoreline that will be scorched into the minds of Bayern supporters for a long time to come.
In a common theme for Bayern in the last few games, it was a tale of two halves. Bayern dominated the first 45 minutes, only to be smothered by a relentless Augsburg side in the second. The only thing uncommon was Bayern, deservedly, being on the losing end of the scoreboard.
Yes, defensive injuries played an undeniable role in this loss. Yes, Bayern could have easily scored at least one more goal in the first half. But “could have, should have, would have” doesn’t win games. Augsburg deserved to win that game.
Germany’s record champions are now at a crossroads. Do they spiral, or do they fight back?
Bayern’s response will be the crux to the remainder of the season. It will determine what Vincent Kompany’s side is truly made of, and it will determine what level of success, or failure, await them at the end of the season.
The defensive injuries take their toll
A big part of Bayern’s success this season has been their defensive stability. A stability bread by familiarity, and a familiarity allowed by a lack of injuries. The injury god’s, however, always have a trick up their sleeve for Die Rekordmeister.
In a collection of injury and illness, Josip Stanišić, Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Sacha Boey and Raphaël Guerreiro were all forced to miss the Augsburg game. Bar Boey and perhaps Guerreiro, these are all players who formed a vital part of Bayern’s defensive unit in the Hinrunde. A unit that was able to learn and grow together. Unfortunately, illness and injury have shattered the defensive unity.
Don’t get me wrong, Kim Min-jae, Hiroki Hiroki Itō and Alphonso Davies are all fantastic defenders. But shake three quarters of a defensive line up and you lose stability. This was only Davies’ first start of the 2025/26 season, and on top of that, he started it in right-back—an unfamiliar player who is not yet up to speed after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Itō also only recently clawed his way back from a long-term injury, and despite solid performance, struggled positionally.
Combine the loss of the core defensive unit with a rotation of players who are not yet up to speed, and you a defensive nightmare.
The Karl conundrum
Lennart Karl lit up the Bundesliga in the Hinrunde, however, it appears the 17-year-old attacker’s form is slowly fading.
Three games without a goal contribution and three games with subpar performances. Is this the end of the road for Germany’s brightest talent? Obviously not. But, this is a crucial and telling part of Karl’s development.
This is the first time this season that Karl has found himself in, at least a mini, slump. Now it’s time to see how the young German reacts. Will he crumble under the pressure, or will it further refine Bayern Munich’s latest diamond?
Michael Olise speaking, how may I assist you?
Despite the bitterly disappointing defeat, Michael Olise, once again, came as a silver lining in dreary, grey cloud—even if it also wasn’t his finest performance.
The Frenchman picked up his eighth assist in five games after delivering his delectable 23rd minute corner met the head of Hiroki Itō, who directed the ball into the bottom left corner with pinpoint accuracy.
Not only has Olise been making a habit out of assisting his teammates from open play, he’s also been developing a secret weapon. Since Bayern’s bitter defeat to Arsenal, falling victim to Declan Rice’s wicked set-piece deliveries, question marks were raised over Bayern’s own efficiency from set-pieces—defensively and offensively. Olise took up the mantle and has since transformed his side’s set-piece threat with his scrupulous deliveries into the box, assisting three goals from corners in his last three games.
Olise now has 15 assists in the Bundesliga, just six away from equaling Thomas Müller’s legendary record (21) set in Bayern Munich’s treble winning 2019/20 season.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- New, improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
Category: General Sports
