The Bundesliga table made for good reading for FC Bayern fans on Saturday night. After the German record champions' hard-earned 3-2 win at FC Augsburg in the afternoon, leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen could only manage a goalless draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the evening game. That means the Munich men have reduced the gap at the top to two points – and Thomas Tuchel's side have it all in their own hands again in the title race.
Bayern defied all resistance – not least a depleted squad – to earn victory in Augsburg with a spirited performance. "These are extremely important points," summarised coach Tuchel. "I’m very happy with the team’s attitude and performance."
Best points tally in six years
FCB are now on 47 points after 19 matchdays, their best record at this stage of the season since the 2017/18 campaign, when the Bavarians had the same tally on the board. At that time, Bayern had a 16-point lead at the top of the table. The last time they collected more points in the first 19 matches was eight years ago (52).
Heading into crucial weeks with momentum
On the success at Augsburg, captain Manuel Neuer said: “It was important that we finished the week like this after the win against Union." The Reds now head into a crunch period with three points in the bag. After the fan club visits on Sunday, FCB begin preparations for the next Bundesliga game at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach (Saturday, 15:30 CET).
That's followed a week later by the top-of-the-table clash at Leverkusen (10 February), before the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 away to Lazio. Although there's been another personnel blow with the injury to Kingsley Coman, the committed and resolute display at Augsburg gives encouragement for the big matches ahead.
The reaction to the win at Augsburg:
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