January: FCA lose a thriller against Dortmund
2020 Review of the Year
2020 was a year shaped by the coronavirus pandemic, although FCA still managed to have a successful year, securing their Bundesliga status for a tenth successive year. January included a dramatic defeat against Borussia Dortmund, having been 3-1 ahead early in the second half.
The winter break arguably came at a bad time for FC Augsburg at the end of 2019. A strong finish to the year, with five wins from the final seven games, meant that the Fuggerstädter were eight points clear of the relegation play-off position. FCA thus went into 2020 with 23 points and in the top half of the table.
The winter break arguably came at a bad time for FC Augsburg at the end of 2019. A strong finish to the year, with five wins from the final seven games, meant that the Fuggerstädter were eight points clear of the relegation play-off position.Martin Schmidt’s side prepared for the second half of the season with a training camp in Malta. Midfielder Eduard Löwen arrived slightly late, after joining on loan from Hertha BSC on an 18-month deal. Ex-player Christoph Janker signed a deal as ‘talent manager’, while Michael Gregoritsch (FC Schalke 04) and Mads Pedersen (FC Zürich) both left the club on loan deals until the end of the season as they looked to gain match practice. FCA thus went into 2020 with 23 points and in the top half of the table.
Crazy match with a bitter ending
Gallery: 201225 JanuarIrrer Schlagabtausch – mit bitterem Ende
The new calendar year began with a home game against Borussia Dortmund, a match which will live long in the memory. FCA went 3-1 up shortly after the break thanks to a brace from Florian Niederlechner and a stunner by Marco Richter. As it looked like Augsburg were going to shock BVB and take all three points, the visitors turned the game on its head to win 5-3, mainly thanks to a hat-trick from substitute Erling Haaland on his Bundesliga debut. “We played the football we wanted to in the first half,” praised Schmidt, who didn’t want to criticise his team after the lead was lost in the second half.
FCA couldn’t put in another strong performance in the first away game of 2020 at 1. FC Union Berlin, losing 2-0. It was the first defeat in the club’s sixth competitive meeting with the Berliners.
- Tags:
- Year review