FC Augsburg were defeated 3-2 by 1. FC Köln on Matchday 31. FCA put on a fight to turn the game around but a three-goal deficit at half time proved too much for the home side.

Head coach Heiko Herrlich made eight changes to the starting XI that were defeated 2-0 by Eintracht Frankfurt in midweek. Daniel Caligiuri returned from suspension, but Rani Khedira (injury) and Michael Gregoritsch (illness) were unavailable.

It was hard to imagine a worse start to the game, as FCA fell behind after just seven minutes. Ondrej Duda smashed in a volley from the edge of the area to give his side the lead (8'). Three minutes later, the Fuggerstädter had an opportunity to level the scores again, but Daniel Caligiuri's free-kick struck the wall.

Augsburg enjoyed more possession but lacked precision going forward. After that, the next setback came. Benno Schmitz's cross was met by Florian Kainz, who finished into the bottom corner to double the lead (22'). Now 2-0 up, Köln looked to calm the game down while still attempting to increase the lead. Sebastian Andersson was unable to beat Rafał Gikiewicz at first (30'), but the visitors eventually found the net again; Duda provided by Marius Wolf to score his second of the game (33') and see his side head into the break 3-0 ahead.

Improved performance after the break

FCA were a different side after the break and came out of the dressing room full of pressure, Ruben Vargas' shot being deflected for a corner (46'). Shortly after, the efforts were rewarded. Robert Gumny finished from close range to pull one back (55'). Just six minutes later, FCA had the ball in the net again, as Vargas got on the end of Fredrik Jensen's low cross to make it 3-2. The Fuggerstädter had the momentum and were looking to attack but were unable to find a clear breakthrough.

The equaliser then almost came: Gumny's looping header beat the goalkeeper but was cleared off the line by Ellyes Shkiri (73'). The visitors were continually pressed deep in their own half and were rarely able to attack, while FCA pressed on in search of the leveller. The next chance came through André Hahn, whose header narrowly missed past the post (78'). With the final whistle approaching, FCA threw everything into the final minutes but were unable to reward themselves and in the end fell to a 3-2 defeat.

FC Augsburg's next game comes in two weeks' time: the team will be on the road against VfB Stuttgart on 7th May, kick-off 20:30 CEST.

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