No points against Ingolstadt

Augsburg were on the losing side on matchday 27 of the Budesliga as they lost 3-2 at home to Ingolstadt in front of 29,528 fans on Wednesday evening. Sonny Kittel (24‘) and two from Almog Cohen (35‘ and 67‘) gave the visitors a 3-0 lead before Paul Verhaegh (76’) pulled one back from the penalty spot and then Halil Altintop (81.’) set up an exciting finish. Augsburg head coach Manuel Baum made five changes to his starting XI from the game agaisnt Bayern Munich. Kostas Stafylidis, Martin Hinteregger, Ja-Cheol Koo, Alfred Finnbogason and Daniel Baier came into the side. In the opening phase of the game, it was clear that there was a lot riding on the game for both teams. Augsburg and Ingolstadt were trying hard not to make any mistakes as they felt their way into the game. Apart from a long range shot from Martin Hinteregger which Ingolstadt keeper saved and a chance for the visitors from a free-kick, most of the action in the early stages was in the midfield area. Augsburg won a free-kick in a shooting position in the 19th minute, but BobadillaÄs effort went over the bar. Shortly after, Augsburg’s number 25 hit the by-line from Paul Verhaegh’s throw-in on the right-hand-side and put in a cross which found Kostas Stafylidis, but he could only divert the ball over the bar. The first big chance for the visitors fell to Florent Hadergjonaj in the 22nd minute, but his header was off target. Shortly after, Ingolstadt did take the lead. A mis-understanding in the penalty box between Kevin Danso and Augsburg keeper Marwin Hitz was capitalised on by Sonny Kittel in the 24th minute. Ten minutes later, the visitors went 2-0 ahead when their free-kick found Almog Cohen who nodded in a free header in the 35th minute. There were no more chances before half-time. Augsburg began the second period well. Gojko Kacar met a corner with his head, but couldn’t convert the chance. Shortly after, Raul Bobadilla had a chance as he bore down on the Ingolstadt keeper, but he failed to control the ball. Augsburg continued to press and Raul Bobadilla worked his way past three defenders and set up Stafylidis, who’s shot from 25 yards went over the bar. A few minutes later, Martin Hinteregger led a counter attack which resulted in Bobadilla crossing to Alfred Finnbogason who couldn’t bring the ball under control. In the 67th minute, Ingolstadt scored a third. Almog Cohen headed in a cross from Hitz as he found himself in space in the area. Then Augsburg increased the pressure and captain Paul Verhaegh converted a penalty in the 76th minute to give the home side a lifeline. Just five minutes later, Halil Altintop set up an exciting end to the game when he received Raul Bobadilla’s long ball and stuck it in the net from 18 yards. Augsburg couldn’t find an equaliser and the game finished 3-2 to Ingolstadt. Paul Verhaegh had a chance to salvage a point just one minute before time but his shot went wide. Alfred Finnbogason also had a chance to level the match for Augsburg in stoppage time, but his shot went over the bar in the 92nd minute.