Bayern win 3-2 at Augsburg to close on leaders Leverkusen

AUGSBURG, Germany :Injury-hit Bayern Munich battled to a 3-2 victory at Augsburg in the Bavarian derby on Saturday to cut the gap on Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen to two points.

First-half goals from 19-year-old Aleksandar Pavlovic and Alphonso Davies plus one from the league's top scorer Harry Kane took second-placed Bayern to 47 points.

Leverkusen, who missed many chances and had to settle for a 0-0 against visitors Borussia Moenchengladbach, are top of the standings on 49.

Bayern, whose winger Kingsley Coman suffered a suspected knee ligament injury that could rule him out for some time, conceded two penalties late in the game with Augsburg converting one of them in stoppage time.

"It was an unusual lineup for us with all the injuries and absences," said Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel. "We had a bit of luck at the start. We knew it was going to be tough against them. But then we got better and created lots of chances.

"In the end it got a bit turbulent with the two late penalties. Overall I am satisfied with the attitude and the performance of my team."

The hosts made a stronger start and put the ball in the net before a VAR review cancelled out the goal.

Bayern were missing nine players through injury or international duty, including Konrad Laimer, Joshua Kimmich and Dayot Upamecano, who were all injured in the midweek 1-0 home win over Union Berlin.

They took the lead, however, when teenager Plavlovic turned in the box and drilled home his first league goal in the 23rd minute.

A minute later, Coman had to be helped off the pitch, piling more pressure on an already depleted squad.

"We have to wait until tomorrow for a precise diagnosis. But it does not look good. We suspect a ligament injury," Tuchel said.

The Bavarians