FCA take all three points off Leverkusen

What a home win! FC Augsburg delivered an energetic performance on matchday 13 of the Bundesliga to claim a fully deserved three points with a 2-0 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

In his first match as interim head coach, Manuel Baum made three changes to the starting XI. Kristijan Jakić and Alexis Claude-Maurice both came into the line-up, while Keven Schlotterbeck returned after suspension. With the leadership group expanded, the 28-year-old also wore the armband for the first time.

Both sides were lively from the outset. After the visitors created the game’s first opening, FCA struck with their very first chance: in the sixth minute, Schlotterbeck took out the entire Werkself backline with a perfectly weighted through ball from his own half, sending Dimitris Giannoulis racing clear down the left. His driven effort past the goalkeeper was also too powerful for Ernest Poku’s as he attempted to clear off the line, only diverting the ball into the roof of the net.

Augsburg kept the pressure up after taking the early lead, and Leverkusen struggled to get to grips with the game. In the 26th minute, Schlotterbeck tried another long ball forward. Claude-Maurice battled well and delicately lifted it onto the top of the bar – though the assistant’s flag was raised in the aftermath.

Kade’s neat header

The next attack paid off. Augsburg combined neatly through the middle before working the ball out to Giannoulis. His pinpoint cross picked out the completely unmarked Anton Kade, who guided his header back across goal past Mark Flekken from close range (28’).

Leverkusen threatened again shortly before the break. Patrik Schick climbed highest to meet a corner, and only a matter of inches denied him a goal as his header crashed against the post (43’).

Leverkusen’s luckless afternoon continues

Both teams emerged unchanged for the second half in front of 30,000 fans at the WWK ARENA. Leverkusen now increased the tempo and spent longer spells around the Augsburg penalty area, but FCA also continued to break forward and fashioned several promising moments of their own. In the 65th minute, substitute Ben Seghir fired a powerful effort from the left edge of the box – only for the crossbar to deny Leverkusen yet again. Augsburg immediately countered at speed: Kade burst away, drove into the area and went for goal from a tight angle, but Flekken made the save (69’).

The chances kept coming. First, substitute Mert Kömür was inches away from making it 3-0 for the hosts (73’). Moments later, Leverkusen bundled the ball towards goal in a crowded penalty area, hitting the inside of the post – their third brush with the woodwork (75’). Both teams continued to push, but despite the flurry of opportunities, the second half remained goalless – and Augsburg were able to celebrate a deserved home victory.

Next week, FCA travel to Hesse, with Manuel Baum’s side taking on Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, 13th December (15:30 CET).

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