Bayern fight back twice in Liverpool tune-up victory

BERLIN: Bayern Munich conceded the fastest own-goal in Bundesliga history on Friday and twice had to equalise before securing a 3-2 win at Augsburg in their final tune-up before their Champions League tie at Liverpool.

Ahead of Tuesday’s last 16 first leg clash at Anfield, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will have watched with interest how Augsburg, who sit just above the Bundesliga relegation places, caused Bayern a few problems.

The away league win means defending champions Bayern trimmed the gap to just two points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who are at bottom side Nuremberg tomorrow.

With one eye on Anfield, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer returned after three games out with a thumb injury, but conceded two goals in the opening 24 minutes — the first after just 13 seconds.

Leon Goretzka claimed an unwanted record for the Bundesliga’s fastest own-goal when he turned the ball into his own net.

Bibiana Steinhaus, the first female referee in Europe’s top five leagues, had barely blown for kick-off when Augsburg winger Philipp Max put in a cross which flummoxed the Bayern defence.

Goretzka watched in horror as the ball ricocheted off his boot and into the net.

It was short of the Bundesliga’s record fastest goal, just nine seconds, shared by Kevin Volland, for Hoffenheim against Bayern in 2015/16, and Karim Bellarabi, for Leverkusen against Dortmund in 2014/15.

“I can’t remember a worst start from us,” admitted Bayern coach Niko Kovac. “We have to play much better at Liverpool.”

Kingsley Coman twice equalised in the opening half, cancelling out the own-goal then levelling at the half-time break after South Korea international Ji Dong Won had restored Augsburg’s lead.

David Alaba scored Bayern’s winning goal early in the second half, but Bayern will need to improve to trouble Liverpool.

“Liverpool are a strong, attacking team and we must do better, luckily we have a few days to improve,” said Bayern captain Neuer.