Gregoritsch bags brace as FCA beat St. Pauli 2-1

FC Augsburg showed superb spirit as they came from behind to record a 2-1 home win over FC St. Pauli. The dangerous duo of Claude-Maurice and Gregoritsch helped their side to pick up a well-deserved three points.

Head coach Manuel Baum made three changes to his starting eleven from the previous weekend. Marius Wolf and Michael Gregoritsch returned to the line-up, as did Noahkai Banks, who had missed the 2-1 victory in Munich due to suspension. However, Dimitris Giannoulis was unavailable after suffering a thigh strain, while Kristijan Jakić remains out due to persistent calf muscle issues.

The visitors started aggressively and pinned FC Augsburg deep into their own half early on. FCA, though, stayed compact, conceded few chances and waited to pounce when they had an opportunity. However, it was St. Pauli who registered the first chance of the game. In the 14th minute, a square pass found Danel Sinani in space around eight yards from goal. Finn Dahmen made a superb save with his feet, allowing Han-Noah Massengo to clear.

Only a minute later, Augsburg had an opportunity of their own. After a quick counterattack, Alexis Claude-Maurice won a footrace with his opponent and struck the ball against the post. Michael Gregoritsch’s follow-up was stopped by a last-ditch block from the St. Pauli defence.

Gregoritsch threatened the visitors’ goal again in the 18th minute, when he struck a powerful free kick from around 20 yards out. The St. Pauli goalkeeper was alert and made the save. There was then danger down the other end. The ball deflected towards goal off a shoulder, but Arthur Chaves kept FCA level by clearing it off the line (28’).

St. Pauli lead but FCA hit back

Not long after came what was arguably the most controversial moment of the first half. Marius Wolf made a decisive challenge in the penalty area, first playing the ball and then catching Manolis Saliakas. The referee pointed to the penalty spot despite strong Augsburg protests. St. Pauli took the kick, and Finn Dahmen guessed the right way, but he was just unable to get a touch on the ball. St. Pauli now had the lead.

The Fuggerstädter, though, showed great spirit to level shortly before the break. Gregoritsch rose highest to meet a Claude-Maurice corner and head home the equaliser in the 41st minute.

Claude-Maurice sets up Gregoritsch again

The second half began in a similar manner to the first. St. Pauli had more possession and created the first opportunity through Sinani, who was able to take on a shot unchallenged but fired over the bar. Soon after, however, the same Augsburg attacking duo combined for a second time. Claude-Maurice played a perfectly timed through ball to Michael Gregoritsch, who kept his cool in front of goal to make it 2-1 to FCA.

This goal had a significant impact on the visitors, who found it increasingly difficult to break down an alert Augsburg backline. Their attacks repeatedly came to nothing against FCA’s solid defence. They did have another chance in the 72nd minute, when Mathias Rasmussen let fly around ten yards from Finn Dahmen’s goal, but captain Keven Schlotterbeck was fully switched on and deflected the ball wide for a corner.

FC Augsburg kept their concentration in the closing stages and waited patiently for spaces to open up, though they mainly focused on composure and organisation in defence. Manuel Baum’s side calmly saw out the victory and picked up three important points at home.

FC Augsburg will be looking to carry on their momentum when they visit 1. FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday, 7th February (15:30 CET).

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