1-0 defeat in Leverkusen: No luck in front of goal in dying moments

FC Augsburg have fallen to another defeat, losing 1-0 away against Bayer Leverkusen. FCA had managed to keep a clean sheet for 75 minutes against the Werkself and defended well. However,the visitors lost concentration for a split second and were punished. FCA also couldn’t equalise after creating some good chances in the dying seconds. FCA head coach Manuel Baum made two changes from the side who lost in Stuttgart last weekend. André Hahn replaced Ja-Cheol Koo while Alfred Finnbogason made his first appearance since returning from injury. The Icelandic striker replaced Julian Schieber in the starting lineup. After a very confident start from the visitors, Leverkusen dominated the match in front of their home crowd as they pressed FCA back. In the opening twenty minutes, the Werkself managed to created multiple chances to take the lead. Charles Aranguiz could only find the side netting (8’) while FCA goalkeeper was there to deny the Chilean just two minutes later. Kai Havertz created two more good chances put could only head over the bar (13’) before forcing Luthe into a good save (18’). FCA could win all of their challenges and lost the ball too frequently. However, Finnbogason created FCA’s first clear chance of the match in the 22nd minute as his found the side netting after a good run. Moments later, the Icelandic forward forced Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky into a very good save. Leverkusen once again asserted their authority on the match as Aranguiz went agonisingly close from a free-kick (25’). FCA defended well for the remainder of the first half and were called into action once more to deny Lars Bender (39’). Little action until Alario scores Augsburg focused more on attack in the second half, but this gave Leverkusen more space to counter. Just before the hour mark, Martin Hinteregger blocked a Havertz shot to deny a certain goal (56’). Leverkusen continued to dominate possession but were unable to create many clear chances- FCA sat deep and brought a lot of players back to defend. There was little action to enjoy in the second half until the 75th minute. Leverkusen were able to find space down the right and a Lars Bender cross fell to unmarked substitute Lucas Alario, who fired the ball home to give the home side the lead. Ji hits the crossbar – FCA not rewarded in dying moments FCA responded well after conceding and went in search of an immediate response. Hahn went close to providing an equaliser as his shot fell wide of the far post (77’). Substitute Dong-Won Ji was then played in by Rani Khedira and the South Korean smashed the ball onto the Leverkusen crossbar.  FCA continued to attack in the final minutes of the match but couldn’t find an equaliser. Sergio Córdova’s acrobatic attempt went over the bar (89’) before the Venezuelan was denied again by Alexander Dragovic in stoppage time. Rani Khedira had the final chance of the match but could only find the side netting (90+3’). Despite these promising moments, FCA fell to their fourth defeat in a row. FCA will return home next Saturday to face FC Schalke 04 (15:30 CET).