FCA win 4-2 at Großaspach to reach DFB-Pokal round of 16

FC Augsburg are through to the round of 16 of the DFB-Pokal after a hard-fought 4-2 victory away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. Head coach Manuel Baum’s side came out on top after an entertaining 90 minutes. 

Baum made five changes to his starting XI from last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Union Berlin, bringing in Youngwoo Seol, Rodrigo Ribeiro, Mert Kömür, Yannik Keitel and Robin Fellhauer.

A tricky test awaited the Bundesliga side in the small town of Aspach, where the home fans created a lively atmosphere. Third-tier Großaspach, who proudly refer to themselves as a “village club,” had already knocked Arminia Bielefeld out in the first round. Augsburg, meanwhile, had booked their place in round two with a 2-0 win in Cottbus.

FCA rose to the challenge from the outset and made a bright start, with Ribeiro particularly impressive in the opening stages. The forward struck twice in quick succession to put Augsburg firmly in control. He opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Fellhauer headed the ball into his path, before doubling his tally just eight minutes later following a long ball from Hennes Behrens.

Großaspach pull one back

The hosts refused to be discouraged, however. Marius Kunde had already shown what Großaspach were capable of when his effort struck the inside of the post shortly before Augsburg’s second goal (20’). The third-tier side were soon rewarded for their efforts, as Luca Molinari beat Finn Dahmen with a powerful left-footed strike in the 22nd minute. A lengthy VAR check for a possible offside followed, but the goal was eventually allowed to stand.

The game developed into an end-to-end fight, with chances at both ends. Kunde threatened again for Großaspach shortly before the break (45’), while Ribeiro almost completed his hat-trick at the other end (45’+2). With pop star and Großaspach supporter Andrea Berg watching from the stands, FCA went into half time holding a slender 2-1 lead.

Substitutes make the difference after equaliser

Augsburg suffered a setback just seconds after the restart as Großaspach drew level. Volkan Celiktas met Molinari’s cross at the far post and headed home to make it 2-2 (46’), leaving the contest wide open again in front of 7,438 spectators.

FCA gradually regained control and began to pose a greater attacking threat. Baum introduced Arijon Ibrahimović and Anton Kade to inject some fresh energy into his attack, and the double substitution proved inspired. In the 69th minute, Ibrahimović made an immediate impact, curling a stunning effort into the right-hand corner from around 27 yards to restore Augsburg’s lead.

Just five minutes later, Kade also got his name on the scoresheet. Behrens provided the assist as the substitute picked out the bottom-right corner with a precise left-footed finish to make it 4-2 (74’). Fellhauer had a chance to add a fifth in the closing stages, but there were to be no further goals as Augsburg secured a deserved victory and their place in the next round.

The draw for the round of 16 will take place on Sunday. Before then, FCA return to Bundesliga action at home to SC Freiburg on 31st October (15:30 CET).

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