Lewandowski subbing was just a precaution, says Bayern boss Flick

Robert Lewandowski was brought off in the second half of Bayern Munich’s edgy 1-0 victory against Augsburg as a precaution, head coach Hansi Flick confirmed.

Lewandowski scored the 13th-minute penalty that ultimately secured the three points for Bundesliga champions Bayern at the Augsburg Arena on Wednesday.

However, superstar striker Lewandowski was substituted after 67 minutes and Bayern were left grateful for a spot-kick miss from Alfred Finnbogason midweek.

Flick explained the surprising decision was because Lewandowski has been managing an issue with his thigh.

“[It was] to be on the safe side because Robert is very important to us. We didn’t want to take any risks,” Flick said in quotes reported by SID.

“He already said this morning that he could feel something in the thigh muscles on the back, but [he felt] that he could control it quite well.”

goals at the half-way point

How many will @lewy_official finish up with this season? #FCAFCB pic.twitter.com/zchF77KCP4

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 20, 2021

Bayern were brilliant in the opening period but struggled in the second half in a theme of only playing well in patches that has become rather familiar in recent weeks.

Back-to-back wins and a first clean sheet since October followed a loss to Borussia Monchengladbach and a shock DFB-Pokal exit to second-tier Holsten Kiel, with Bayern’s performances well below their best.

Flick, though, said even a team like Bayern – who won a superb treble in 2019-20 – can hit a “limit” in what has been a testing period.

“The team played an outstanding year, at some point they too are at their limit,” he added to Sky Germany, with Bayern four points clear atop the table. 

“It was a bit of luck against Freiburg in the end, but very important. We [wanted] to add more today and take three points with us to Munich.”