Day 4 in Marbella: Alkmaar friendly
First Team
07.01.2017, 12:45
On the fourth day of FC Augsburg's winter training camp, the Bundesliga side took on their first friendly match opponent in Dutch top flight side AZ Alkmaar. There are some connections between the two clubs, as Jeffrey Gouweleeuw used to play for Alkmaar and they were one of FCA's group opponents in the last season's Europa League campaign. Back then, Augsburg was able to win both of their matches against Alkmaar. FCA were unable to continue this run as the match ended in a 1-1 draw despite taking a 1-0 lead into half-time.
Manager Manuel Baum almost deployed two entirely different teams in each half, giving as many players as possible a chance to present themselves. Takashi Usami was the only starting player to feature in the second half.
The Japanese forward had also given Augsburg the half time lead, slotting home after 21 minutes from a cross by Jonathan Schmid. Ja-Cheol Koo had missed a chance prior to the opener and Augsburg added more opportunities to extend their lead before the break, but neither Usami or Philipp Max were able to find the back of the net.
Augsburg put on a very solid defensive performance, leaving keeper Marwin Hitz with fairly little to do. Hitz came off for Andreas Luthe in the second half. The new signing from VfL Bochum was called into action time and time again, often displaying his superb shot-stopping abilities. In the 60th minute however he was left without a chance, as Wout Weghorst rounded the keeper after a fine pass to slot home into an empty net.
Manuel Baum used the second half for more changes and eventually Usami was replaced by Raul Bobadilla, who made his return to action after a two-month injury break. Kevin Danso and Tim Rieder also gathered some minutes on the pitch. In the end the game ended in a 1-1 draw, a result both teams will be able to live with.
