FCA eliminated from DFB-Pokal after 1-0 defeat against Bochum

FC Augsburg's 2025/26 DFB-Pokal journey came to an end on Tuesday evening, as Sandro Wagner’s side were narrowly beaten 1-0 at home by VfL Bochum.

As announced ahead of the match, Wagner rotated his side in several positions. Nediljko Labrović started in goal in place of first-choice keeper Finn Dahmen, while Marius Wolf, Elvis Rexhbecaj, Phillip Tietz and Cédric Zesiger were also named in the starting XI. Summer signing Ismaël Gharbi was able to make his first start in all competitions for the club. 

Augsburg initially sat deep and allowed Bochum to have the ball. The first big chance fell to the visitors when Francis Onyeka cut a ball back from the byline for Philipp Strompf, who found space at the back post but fired over the bar (12’). Moments later, FCA threatened for the first time as Fabian Rieder pressed Timo Horn into making a mistake in the build-up. The goalkeeper’s pass fell straight to Gharbi, whose strike from the edge of the box was blocked (15’).

FCA grew into the game and took control midway through the first half. In the 25th minute, Wolf drove inside from the right and unleashed a fierce effort that crashed off the crossbar. The rebound dropped perfectly for Gharbi, whose first-time finish also struck the woodwork.

Bochum score on the break 

Tietz came close to opening the scoring with a header in the 39th minute, but Bochum hit back instantly on the break. Onyeka carried the ball forward and played through to Gerrit Holtmann on the left, who cut inside and struck into the far corner with the help of a slight deflection to give the visitors the lead at half-time.

Bochum sat much deeper after the restart, leaving FCA to control possession and search patiently for openings. Clear chances were few and far between until the closing stages, when substitute Alexis Claude-Maurice forced Horn into a save from a free kick around 20 metres out. At the other end, Labrović made two important stops to keep FCA in the game as time ran out. Augsburg pushed hard in the final minutes but couldn’t find a way through, ultimately having to accept a narrow 1-0 defeat and the end of their cup journey this season.

FCA return to Bundesliga action on Friday night, as Borussia Dortmund visit the WWK ARENA (31st October, 20:30 CET).

Unsere FCA-APP

Jetzt herunterladen!