Champions Bayern Munich Drop to Fourth After Shock Defeat by Augsburg

• German giants Bayern Munich failed to break down Augsburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga and lost 1-0 on the road
• A second half striker from German-born Mergim Berisha was enough to hand the home side the maximum points
• Bayern Munich have now dropped to fourth on Bundesliga table on 12 points, three off leaders Borussia Dortmund

Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Augsburg on Saturday afternoon.

The defeat means the Bavarians are winless run in their last four games and drop to fourth place.

Prior to the game, the six-time European champions were under severe pressure and this was escalated by the ferocity applied by an Augsburg team who refused to allow Julian Negelsmann team to get into their stride.

The host started the match on a bright note after Florian Niederlechner threatened the shaky Bayern's defence. At the other end, Augusburg goalkeeper Rafal Giekiewicz was in fine form after he superbly denied Leroy Sane with his feet in either half.

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The most crucial moment came in the 59th minute when a long free-kick was deflected onto the path of Mergim Berisha who calmly slotted home to put Augsburg in the ascendancy against Bayern.

Fresh from their Champions League triumph over Barcelona on Tuesday, Bayern lacked sharpness upfront with both Senegalese forward Sadio Mane and German winger Leroy Sane squandering glorious chances.

Sane was the most culprit after he failed to level the scores in the 73rd when he had only goalkeeper Gikiewicz to beat but the shotstopper stood his ground to block his shot.

The 34-year-old goalie then made an outstanding double save in stoppage time to protect Augsburg's lead.

This is Bayern's second straight defeat to Augsburg after a 2-1 loss last year.

Bayern have now dropped to fourth on the ladder on 12 points, three off leaders Borussia Dortmund. Augsburg climbed up to 11th place on nine.

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11 Bundesliga Players Shortlisted for Top 40 Golden Boy Award Nominees

Sports Brief earlier reported that the 40 nominees for the 2022 Golden Boy have been announced and the Bundesliga is the league with the highest number of players nominated with 9 players listed.

Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich each have three players shortlisted for the award presented to the best player under the age of 21 in Europe.

Eintracht Frankfurt, Koln, Freiburg, and Bayer Leverkusen also have players nominated for the 2022 top 40 Golden Boy awards voted for by established publications in major footballing nations.