by Dan Gaichas
US international Julian Green started and scored for Bayern Munich in their 3-1 win over FC Augsburg in the Second Round of the DFB Pokal. Bayern will now face VfL Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena in the Round of 16 which takes place in February.
Green got the start ahead of Robert Lewandowski for this Cup tie, but it was still a strong lineup fielded by Carlo Ancelotti that included Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, and Philipp Lahm. It was Lahm who scored the first goal just two minutes in after a give-and-go with Müller to give the hosts the early lead. Müller would cross to Green who headed in on 41 minutes for the second goal of the evening.
Early in the second half, Augsburg were awarded with a penalty after Mats Hummels was called for pushing down Gojko Kacar in the box. Koo Ja-Cheol took the spot kick, but Manuel Neuer would make the save and Daniel Baier would miss on the rebound. Eight minutes later, Gerog Teigl was whistled for handball in the area and Bayern received a penalty. However, Müller would ski his spot kick over the bar.
Augsburg would pull one back in the 68th minute. Ji-Dong Won beat Jerome Boateng in a 1-on-1 and then beat Neuer near-post to make it 2-1. However, David Alaba would settle things three minutes into stoppage time with his shot from distance just squeezing between the post and Marwin Hitz.
The match would also be notable for Holger Badstuber returning to play for Bayern for the first time in a competitive match in several months and the first time overall since picking up a knock at Soldier Field last July.
“The match wasn’t decided until the end,” said Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti. “We failed to close it out, but overall we controlled the game. We played very well in the first half. I have a great squad. The players are fit, and I want them all to be motivated. All of them did a good job. I’m delighted for Holger Badstuber, he’s important for the team.”
Bayern and Augsburg play again on Saturday in the Bundesliga. This time, it will be at the WWK Arena with kickoff at 8:30am CT on FS2.
