Bayern Munich News: The aftermath of FC Bayern vs. FC Augsburg; Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea vying for ‘elite striker’; Man City’s John Stones to Bay...

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 2-1 loss to Augsburg (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has had to be nimble in dealing with so many injuries and illnesses of late and his flexibility finally caused things to snap during the team’s 2-1 loss to FC Augsburg

on Saturday.

Bayern Munich sat some regulars and went unconventional with its starting XI, but it never fully clicked as the Bavarians were unable to continue their incredible, undefeated run through the Bundesliga. Let’s get into it, here are some quick hitters on the match:

As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:

With so many injuries and illnesses, it was very unclear exactly who Kompany would even be able to play. As you can see, Lennart Karl got over his rumored illness, but Serge Gnabry (gastrointestinal infection) and Raphaël Guerreiro (calf strain) missed the match. The head coach went with Hiroki Itō (left-back), Jonathan Tah, Kim Min-jae, and Alphonso Davies (right-back) across the back, Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlović in the midfield, and a front four consisting of Karl, Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Luis Díaz.
Bayern Munich has become so adept at hiding its injured/ill players that no one even knew Guerreiro was banged up.
It was awesome to see Jonas Urbig get some playing time and for Kompany to sit Neuer (even while he is hot). The rest of Neuer is vital for his longevity during the rest of this campaign. Urbig was decent in the match, but will likely get some criticism for how he handled the first goal. It seemed that his pathway to punching the ball away was filled with traffic, though.
Bayern Munich was moving the ball around crisply in the early going as FC Augsburg was playing conservative and compact.
The makeshift Bayern Munich lineup did have some trouble stringing things together. There was constant pressure, but nothing threatening from the Bavarians.
In the 17th minute, FC Augsburg had a nice run of play that resulted in a corner. Bayern Munich was on its heels, scrambling, and getting outworked during that brief period.
In the 23rd minute, Olise whipped in a corner and Itō got up to put a head on it and make it 1-0. It seemed like that might be enough to open the floodgates, but that was not meant to be on this day.
Minutes later both Karl and Díaz had chances, but could not convert them.
FC Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen took a boot to the face from Díaz as the two collided on a free ball rolling toward goal. That could have been really bad. Dahmen had a bloody nose as a result.
Karl has had some trouble getting into the flow of games of late. The extra attention he is receiving is something he will have to learn how to adjust to.
Just before the halftime whistle, Robin Fellhauer spung free from the Bayern Munich defense and rifled a shot off the crossbar. That could have been bad.
Bayern Munich’s backline was not tested that often, but did hold strong.
Like Karl, Kane struggled to get into the mix of the attack.
Karl made a horrific mistake in the 60th minute that almost led to an FC Augsburg goal. He was subbed out a minute later. It was not a great performance from the youngster, who did not look like himself. He was rumored to be sick on Friday, but he also just could be hitting a wall.
Kimmich checked in for Davies in the 61st minute as well. Davies was decent, but is not himself yet — as expected. We are likely still a bit from seeing “Vintage Davies.” Fans are going to have to be patient (playing on the right side did not help him too much in this one, either, but he battled through it). He did have some individual moments of brilliance, though, so you can see he still has “it.”
In the 75th minute, Mert Kömür whipped in a corner that tailed just out of the reach of Urbig and onto the head of Arthur Chaves, who put it home to knot the game at 1-1. Bayern Munich’s lack of urgency in the second half ended up being costly.
The goal spurred Kompany to bring in Tom Bischof for Goretzka and Nicolas Jackson for Itō. Clearly, Kompany wanted to make one last effort to avoid dropping points.
However, that move did not spark the home side. Dimitrios Giannoulis torched right-back Joshua Kimmich with a give-and-go before crossing Han-Noah Massengo, who sprinted away from Musiala on a straight run down the middle to put home the game-winner.
Bayern Munich could not find a way to break through in the late going against a motivated FC Augsburg side.
Overall, it was not Bayern Munich’s day. Things were choppy and you could argue that the coach made some regrettable decisions. All in all, though, this is just one of those games that tends to happen in the Bundesliga. Surely, the Bavarians will look to learn anything they can (Hint: There will not be much) and just move on to prepare for Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Paul Wanner and PSV Eindhoven.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

A Stones throw to Bavaria? Eh, probably not (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)

Some rumors began to emerge that Bayern Munich could be interested in Manchester City center-back John Stones this summer, but Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk says that the stories are not true:

Could John Stones switch to Munich
❌ It is NOT TRUE: John Stones is the number one option for Bayern to sign at centre-back this summer. Bayern, of course, have to keep an eye on every player who’ll be on the market this summer. Stones is an interesting option, as he’s currently set to become a free agent after the 2025/26 season. Bayern Munich already knows he’s turning 32 in the summer, so they can think about this one.

However, if Bayern do end up losing Dayot Upamecano, and they don’t know what’s happening with Kim Min-jae, and they may not have the money to act, it’s a good option. Stones is already more than familiar with Pep Guardiola’s managerial style. Some experts, however, claim his feet are too slow for Vincent Kompany’s football.

That said, perhaps it’s like the case with Eric Dier, where if you can get a player of this calibre – and you don’t have many alternative options – you have to at least discuss it!

Eberl dishes on rumored El Mala inquiry (Bild via @iMiaSanMia)

In an interview with Bild that contained a “True or false?” segment, Bayern Munich board member for sport Max Eberl, was asked if he inquired about a cost for FC Köln attacker Said El Mala. The executive stated that was false:

Max Eberl has asked about Said El Mala’s price tag..

Eberl: “False. I didn’t ask about his price tag. I said that I know him because he played for Gladbach’s youth academy. He’s a great youngster who’s doing great in Köln”

It seems as if El Mala’s reps have been in contact with Bayern Munich and other big clubs. Where he lands in the summer will be one of the stories of the transfer window.

United, Chelsea eyeing Nmecha (ESPN)

Manchester United and Chelsea FC are reportedly keeping a close eye on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha:

Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, according to Sky Germany. The 25-year-old has impressed with a regular slot in Dortmund’s midfield this season and the club are hoping to renegotiate his contract, which runs out in 2028. However, Nmecha — who came through Manchester City’s youth team and whose older brother, Lukas, plays for Leeds United — has previously intimated that he would like to play in the Premier League.

Conflicting reports on Alexander-Arnold’s rumored desire to leave Real (ESPN)

With conflicting reports, one thing is becoming clear — something is not right with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid:

Reports in Spain have said Trent Alexander-Arnold has been told by interim manager Alvaro Arbeloa to leave Real Madrid this summer, but the Daily Mail reports that is not true. The England international has spent two months out with a leg injury, but he is due to return soon and continue his career at the Bernabéu.

Spurs, Chelsea vying for Vlahović (TEAMtalk)

Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović has been closely linked to AC Milan, but Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur could be battle for the Serb:

Despite widespread belief in Serie A circles that Milan are closing in on an agreement, with his former Juventus boss Max Allegri keen to secure his signature, figures within Vlahovic’s camp are adamant the 26‑year‑old is keen on a move to England, and that the Premier League remains a destination he views with genuine excitement.

One source close to the negotiations told TEAMtalk that the Serbian’s representatives have “never closed the door” on a Premier League switch and continue to keep Spurs and Chelsea “fully informed” as the situation develops.

Dusan Vlahovic’s future is far less settled than many in Italy would have you believe, with sources close to the Serbian striker insisting he remains a live option for a number of Premier League clubs – even as AC Milan grow increasingly confident of landing him this summer.

TEAMtalk understands that long‑term admirers Tottenham and Chelsea have been kept constantly updated on the Juventus star’s situation, with both clubs refusing to step away from discussions as he edges toward what could become one of the most high‑profile free‑transfer opportunities of the window.

Despite widespread belief in Serie A circles that Milan are closing in on an agreement, with his former Juventus boss Max Allegri keen to secure his signature, figures within Vlahovic’s camp are adamant the 26‑year‑old is keen on a move to England, and that the Premier League remains a destination he views with genuine excitement.

One source close to the negotiations told TEAMtalk that the Serbian’s representatives have “never closed the door” on a Premier League switch and continue to keep Spurs and Chelsea “fully informed” as the situation develops.

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…