FCA through to second round after 2-0 win in Cottbus

FC Augsburg have started the 2026/27 competitive season with a win. FCA beat FC Energie Cottbus 2-0 in the first round of the DFB-Pokal, with Anton Kade opening the scoring shortly after half time before Kristijan Jakić sealed the victory in stoppage time.

For the first competitive game of the season, FCA head coach Manuel Baum handed new signing Hennes Behrens a start on the left. With Jeffrey Gouweleeuw missing through illness, Keven Schlotterbeck wore the captain’s armband.

FCA were made to work from the outset against the newly promoted Bundesliga 2 side. Wearing their new home kit, Augsburg made a lively start. Kade went down inside the penalty area in the 12th minute, but referee Dr. Robin Braun waved play on. There is no VAR in the first round of the competition.

Finn Dahmen was called into action shortly afterwards, racing out of his goal to clear the ball with a diving header (14’). Roared on by the 1,300 travelling Augsburg fans, the Fuggerstädter then began to settle into the game and created their first openings through Michael Gregoritsch (22’) and Marius Wolf (23’).

Wolf had the best chance of the first half in the 32nd minute. He appeared to be narrowly offside when he got in behind and went one-on-one with Marcel Lotka, but his attempted lob from a tight angle was kept out by the Cottbus goalkeeper. At the other end, Schlotterbeck produced two superb last-ditch tackles to deny the hosts (36’, 43’).

Kade strikes shortly after the restart

FCA emerged unchanged after half time and soon made the breakthrough. Gregoritsch found Kade, who cut inside just outside the penalty area and fired a low shot into the net to make it 1-0 (49’).

In front of 14,388 spectators, Cottbus went in search of a quick response, but Dahmen produced a fine save to deny Christian Kinsombi (54’). The game remained finely poised late on as the hosts continued to apply pressure, but FCA defended well. Augsburg then came within inches of adding a second in the 82nd minute when Noahkai Banks hit the crossbar after being picked out by Jakić. Shortly after, the Croat then added a second to put the game to bed in the 95th minute, securing Augsburg’s place in the next round.

FCA are next in action on Sunday, 30th August (17:30 CEST), when they host FC Schalke 04 at the WWK ARENA in their Bundesliga opener.

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