FCA suffer narrow defeat to Gladbach

First Team 27.07.2018, 11:05

FC Augsburg are on their way to the summer training camp in Längenfeld, but the squad made a short stop en route in Rottach-Egern in Tegernsee on Thursday afternoon to play fellow Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach in a pre-season friendly. Manuel Baum’s team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Gladbach, the side they will face on the first matchday of the 2018/19 Bundesliga season. The match started very evenly, with both sides looking to create chances in the final third. Gladbach looked fit and sprightly despite having already completed a few strenuous days of training at their camp. Former FCA player Ibrahima Traore was creating problems for his opponents on the right hand side, but Philipp Max and Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker were there to stop his runs. After 18 minutes, Marco Richter came close to opening the scoring for FCA but his attempted volley from the edge of the box flew over the bar. Two minutes later, Fabian Giefer denied Ibrahima Traore with his fists. The match gradually started increasing in intensity and Gladbach were the ones upping the pressure, only for their efforts to be denied by FCA goalkeeper Giefer. Although Gladbach were looking the more likely team to score, it was FC Augsburg who broke the deadlock. FCA were quick to attack on the counter and Sergio Córdova was the player to thump the ball into the net (23’). Giefer was tested shortly afterwards and made an impressive save against Raffael from distance. Gladbach held the majority of possession, but the FCA defence were there to close their attacks down. Their solid defence allowed them to latch quickly onto Gladbach’s mistakes and attack on the counter. FCA came close to extending their lead from the counter attack but Raphael Framberger’s cross went just over the bar. FC Augsburg went into the dressing room at half-time 1-0 up. Manuel Baum made a number of changes at half-time. Fabian Giefer, Kevin Danso and Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker were the only players from the starting eleven to stay on the pitch. Youth team players Romario Roesch, Jozo Stanic and Maurice Malone all came on for the second half. FCA started the second half on the front foot and came close to scoring an early second half goal but Georg Teigl’s long-range effort came flying back off the left post. FCA were in control of the match, but Gladbach were still looking dangerous and creating chances. Gladbach upped the pressure and it didn’t take them long to turn the match on its head. Tobias Strobl latched onto Raffael’s cross to equalise in the 64^th minute, before Jonas Hoffman’s hopeful effort flew into the top corner just minutes later to give Gladbach the 2-1 lead. FC Augsburg went looking for the equaliser but were not able to find the right pass in the final third to break down the Gladbach defence. It was a narrow victory, but a deserved one for Gladbach who were the better team when it came to converting chances. Starting line-up: Fabian Giefer; - Raphael Framberger; Kevin Danso; Philipp Max; Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker; - Jonathan Schmid; Rani Khedira; Michael Gregoritsch; Daniel Baier; Marco Richter; - Sergio Córdova Subbed on: Georg Teigl (46.); Jozo Stanic (46.); Christoph Janker (46.); Tim Rieder (46.); Romario Roesch (46.); Shawn Parker (46.); Maurice Malone (46.); Dong-Won Ji (46.); - Subbed off: Raphael Framberger (46.); Philipp Max (46.); Jonathan Schmid (46.); Rani Khedira (46.); Michael Gregoritsch (46.); Daniel Baier (46.); Marco Richter (46.); Sergio Córdova (46.) Goals: