Ten-man Bayern Munich fall to Manchester City

A Sergio Agüero hat trick handed Bayern Munich their first loss of the season, despite the Bavarians playing for seventy minutes with only ten men. At this level, you can't make mistakes, and FC Bayern made three big mistakes on the day.

City came right at Bayern from the opening whistle, but Bayern withstood the early pressure and gradually grabbed control. Of course, it was Arjen Robben that created Bayern's first chance with a deft chip behind the City defense. Sebastian Rode came flying into the penalty area, but his left footed shot was stopped by Joe Hart.

Twenty minutes into the match, however, things turned on their head. Sergio Agüero broke through the Bayern defense, and Mehdi Benatia took it upon himself to tackle Agüero from behind. The referee had no choice but to award the penalty and show the Moroccan centerback the red card. The City forward converted from the spot to put Bayern down 0-1.

In response to the red card, Pep Guardiola brought off Rode for the Brazilian Dante to get more defensive solidity on the field. Over the next ten minutes, with City pressing their man advantage, Bayern managed to keep their calm and hold them at bay. And, it eventually led to FCB getting some possession in the City half of the field.

Robert Lewandowski was brought down just outside the penalty area by Eliaquim Mangala. Once the wall finally got settled, Robben and the birthday boy Xabi Alonso stood over the free kick. It was the Spaniard to take and he curled his low free kick around the wall, and he struck the back of the net to equalize for FC Bayern! Down to only ten men, Guardiola's men looked like the team with the advantage.

Then, in the final minute before halftime, Lewandowski happened. Standing near the right touchline, Jerome Boateng launched a long cross into the penalty area toward the head of the Polish striker. Lewandowski jumps in between Vincent Kompany and Bacary Sagna and shoulders the ball into the back of the net past Hart. Remarkably, before halftime, FC Bayern take the 2-1 lead after playing nearly half an hour with only ten men.

Bayern started the second half much the same way they finished the first half. After ripping apart the City defense, the ball ended up at the feet of Alonso at the top of the penalty area, but his left footed shot missed the target high. But, City continued to try the counterattack, this time with Jesus Navas getting past the defense out wide. However, Dante stayed on his feet forcing him to shoot, and Neuer made the save to keep Bayern on top.

At the hour mark, with Bayern having been with only ten men for over forty minutes, Man City still had yet to complete a pass inside Bayern's penalty area. Ten minutes passed before City would challenge Neuer, but the German number one was up for the challenge. Frank Lampard received the ball at the top of the penalty area and unleashed a shot toward the world's best goalkeeper, but Neuer tipped the shot over the bar for the save.

Der Fußballgott made his first appearance in the Champions League this season in the 80th minute with Franck Ribery making way. For my money, the Champions League doesn't truly begin until Bastian Schweinsteiger makes an appearance.

The 85th minute brought something that you don't see everyday. Alonso made a passing mistake. His attempt along the back was too risky, and Agüero pounced. The Argentinian beat Dante down the field and put his shot past Neuer to put the score at 2-2.

Then, inexplicably, Boateng followed suit and turned the ball over to Agüero just inside the Bayern penalty area. Agüero pounced and beat Neuer again to give Manchester City the victory.

Three mistakes was all it took to undo Bayern on the day. Bayern will be in action next at the weekend in the German capital where they will face Hertha BSC.