Bayern Munich restored their nine-point lead at the Bundesliga summit thanks to Robert Lewandowski s penalty in a late 1-0 win over Bavarian neighbours Augsburg.
The hosts were beaten 1-0 by Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie in midweek and were frustrated for 82 minutes at Allianz Arena on Saturday.
Just when Bayern looked to be heading for a first league blank since January 2020, Lewandowski s header hit Reece Oxford s arm and the striker stepped up to convert from the spot.
Bayern have now won three league games in a row and retain a healthy lead over Borussia Dortmund, who beat Stuttgart 2-0 on Friday, ahead of the sides meeting in two weeks.
Augsburg had picked up more points than any side over the previous four gamedays and more than held their own in a first half that never truly got going.
Robert Lewandowski managed to get away one of four shots for Bayern before the interval, but none of those attempts tested opposition goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz.
Julian Nagelsmann introduced Jamal Musiala for Serge Gnabry at the interval and Lewandowski forced a fine save out of compatriot Gikiewicz a minute later from a headed chance.
Further changes followed, perhaps with an eye on the return fixture with Villarreal, but Bayern continued to toil until their breakthrough moment eventually arrived.
Lewandowski headed down a Joshua Kimmich shot and, after checking the pitchside monitor, the referee pointed to the spot for Lewandowski to send Gikiewicz the wrong way.
Kimmich hit the crossbar and Niklas Dorsch brilliantly denied Lewandowski a second from the line, though one goal was enough for Bayern to bounce back from their midweek loss.
What does it mean? Lewandowski bails out Bayern
Nagelsmann said on the eve of this game that Bayern cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to retain their title, knowing his side still have to face Dortmund in two weeks time.
The Bavarian giants were well below their best, with their expected goals (xG) return of 1.80 not telling the entire story as their best chances arrived after taking the lead.
But Lewandowski ultimately got the job done for Bayern, who are now unbeaten in seven league games, which is their best-such run under Nagelsmann.
Another first-half blank
Bayern have now failed to register a shot on target in the first half of consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since April 2009 under Jurgen Klinsmann.
Like all great teams, though, Bayern battled away and they have now scored in each of their past 76 Bundesliga matches.
Lewi goal brings up Muller milestone
Lewandowski has scored 23 goals against Augsburg, which is one more than he has managed against Dortmund and behind only the 24 he has scored versus Wolfsburg.
His latest strike brought up a milestone win for team-mate Thomas Muller, who is the first outfield player to ever record 300 Bundesliga victories, each of those with Bayern.
What s next?
Bayern have that big Champions League tie with Villarreal to come on Tuesday before travelling to Arminia Bielefeld, while Augsburg host Hertha Berlin in a week s time.
