FCA fall to a 2-1 defeat in Hoffenheim

FC Augsburg have fallen to an 2-1 away defeat at TSG Hoffenheim. Andrej Kramaric gave the hosts a 65th minute lead before Alfred Finnbogason scored his seventh goal of the season just four minutes later. However, FCA’s equaliser was cancelled out as substitute Reiss Nelson scored an 84th minute winner for Hoffenheim. FC Augsburg started the match in Sinsheim with an unchanged starting lineup from the 2-2 home draw with Nürnberg last weekend. Michael Gregoritsch returned to the bench after missing last weekend’s match through injury. In the opening stages, both teams started defensively and it was the hosts who created the first chance in the fourth minute. Kerem Demirbay gave FCA goalkeeper Andreas Luthe his first warning of the match with a shot from long distance which went wide to the left of the goal. FCA created their first chance of the match just five minutes later as Marco Richter came in from the right wing to fire a shot at goal. Unfortunately for the young German, his shot was saved by Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann. Following good build up play from Jeffrey Gouweleeuew, FCA’s next chance fell to Caiuby in the 15th minute. However his header towards goal fell narrowly wide of the top right corner. At the other end, just a minute later, Luthe was forced into action to tip a Joelinton shot over the top of the bar (15’). Alfred Finnbogason then created a 25th minute chance which was well saved by Baumann. In the remainder of the first half, there were very few chances in front of goal in the Wirsol Rhein-Necker-Arena as both teams defended well. Shortly before half-time, Demirbay did create one last chance for the hosts, forcing Luthe into a flying save at the second attempt. The teams were all square at the break. The match was a more open affair in the second half as both teams came out for the second half wanting to attack. Richter created the first chance after the restart as his half volley from a tight angle caused no problems for Baumann (49’). Shortly after this chance, Andrej Kramaric was able to get away from Rani Khedira and make space for a shot. Unfortunately for the Croatian, he could only fire the ball narrowly to the left of the top corner (52’). Joelinton then had a close range shot saved by Luthe in the 58th minute before FCA countered and Richter attempted a shot from a tight angle which was held by Baumann. Firstly FCA hit the post, then fall behind FC Augsburg continued to apply a lot of pressure on the final third and Finnbogason created a chance for himself on the right side of the penalty area. However, the Icelandic striker could only strike the post and FCA were made to pay the price. Hoffenheim started a counter attack and Kramaric was able to get on the end of a Joelinton square pass to give Hoffenheim the lead (65’). The hosts only led for four minutes as Finnbogason was played through brilliantly by Caiuby. The Icelandic striker coolly chipped the ball over the onrushing Baumann to equalise for FCA. The Hoffenheim goalkeeper was called into action once again to deny Finnbogason a brace, tipping his shot round his near post (74’). In the closing stages, Kramaric thought he had restored Hoffenheim’s lead in the 83rd minute. The Croatian was able to escape from Gouweleeuw to shoot towards goal but the ball fell millimeters wide of the Augsburg goal. Just a minute later, however, and Hoffenheim were back in front as Luthe could only parry a shot into the path of substitute Reiss Nelson, who stroke the ball home to spark jubilation for the home side. Hoffenheim had a couple of opportunities to add to their lead in stoppage time but were unable to take them. FCA could not find another equaliser and slipped to a 2-1 defeat. FC Augsburg return to action in two weeks time after the international break. FCA will host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, 24 November (15:30 CET).