Despite a valiant effort, FCA fall to 3-2 defeat against Bremen

FC Augsburg lost for the second time in a week as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to SV Werder Bremen in the WWK Arena. The match against the Green-Whites was FCA’s second home match of the season and Augsburg had fought back from 2-0 down to level the match early in the second half.  Davy Klaassen struck the winner for Werder in the 75th minute. FCA coach Manuel Baum made one change from the side that lost 2-1 in Mainz last weekend as right back Raphael Framberger started his first match of the season in place of Jonathan Schmid, who dropped to the bench. FCA started the game at a high pace, pressing the visitors back and not allowing them to settle into their controlled rhythm of football. In the opening minutes, however, FCA were unable to carve open the Werder defence and create any good opportunities. They remained dangerous as the first half progressed and Michael Gregoritsch fired narrowly wide after a good counter attack in the 19th minute. Shortly afterwards, the Austrian attacker forced a good save from Werder goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka from a free-kick (22’). Ja-Cheol Koo also tested Pavlenka with a shot in the 27th minute as FCA threatened to open the scoring. Two Bremen goals in as many minutes – Koo responds After FCA had edged the opening half hour of the match, Werder came back into the game as Claudio Pizzaro’s shot caused no problems for Augsburg goalkeeper Fabian Giefer. The deadlock was broken just a few minutes later as a Florian Kainz cross from the left wing picked out Max Kruse at the back post and the striker fired home to give Werder a 34th minute lead. Just two minutes later, Werder doubled their lead as a long distance shot from Maximilian Eggestein left Fabian Giefer with no chance. This gave Werder full control of the match. FCA, who had been the better side before the two Werder goals, didn’t need long before striking their way back into the match. The team were rewarded for their first half efforts in the third minute of stoppage time as Koo was able to control a cross in the box and his shot landed in the far corner of the net at reduce the deficit to 2-1 at half-time. Max’s volley gives FCA the dream start to the second half Augsburg started the second half as they had ended the first and were quickly back on level terms. After less than two minutes after the restart, André Hahn managed to reach the byline and his cross was met by Philipp Max who volleyed home from close range (47’). FCA were now in the ascendency and went in search of the lead for the first time in the match. Captain Daniel Baier, who was celebrating his 300th appearance for the club and his 250th Bundesliga match, fired over the bar (48’) before Koo has a shot blocked (53’). In the 62nd minute, FCA created two clear chances to take a 3-2 lead but couldn’t take either opportunity. Firstly, Gregoritsch was sent clear one-on-one with Pavlenka but the Czech goalkeeper was able to deny the FCA striker a shot on goal. Just seconds later, Koo created space for himself in the box but he could only blaze his shot over the bar. Klaassen restores Werder’s lead – Gregoritsch denied by the woodwork In the final 20 minutes of the match, Bremen created more chances and we able to retake the lead in the 75th minute. Giefer was unable to grasp the ball from a cross and the ball broke free. Davy Klaassen was there to tap the ball into the open net and give Werder another lead they ultimately would keep for the rest of the match. In the closing stages, FCA searched for the equaliser and came within a lick of paint of getting it as Gregoritsch fired a header onto the far post after a Max corner (88’). The final whistle came and condemned FCA to their second defeat of the season. FCA return to action in mid-week as they travel to defending Bundesliga champions FC Bayern München on Tuesday, 25th September (20:30 CEST).