Narrow loss to Schalke at home

FC Augsburg came away empty handed from their last home game of the Bundesliga season, as they lost to Schalke 2-1. Thilo Kehrer fired the Royal Blues in front in the 23^rd minute, before Philipp Max equalized shortly after (27’). An own goal from Alfred Finnbogason would seal FCA’s fate, however (34’). FCA head coach Manuel Baum made two changes to the side that drew to Hertha BSC last week, with captain Daniel Baier returning to the starting line-up in the place of Jan Moravek, while Marwin Hitz played instead of Andreas Luthe to mark his final home appearance in an FCA shirt. Club president Klaus Hofmann said the official goodbye to Htz, Gojko Kacar and assistant coach Florian Ernst ahead of kick-off. The game began with a huge chance for the Swabians. Alfred Finnbogason capitalised on a misunderstanding between Thilo Kehrer and Ralf Fährmann to have a shot at goal from an extremely tight angle. His shot rebounded off the inside of the left post, however, and rolled back into the waiting arms of a thankful Fährmann (4’). Schalke, who started the game doing nothing going forward, had their first chance after 15 minutes played. Guido Burgstaller’s mishit shot proved to be no issue for Marwin Hitz, though. In the 21^st minute, Philipp Max whipped the ball into Alfred Finnbogson in the box, whose header nicked the right-hand post before heading out of play. Despite dominating the proceedings, FCA would fall behind to the visitors after Thilo Kehrer redirected a free-kick (23’). Augsburg didn’t take long to answer back though, as Philipp Max fired past Ralf Fährmann while the Schalke players were too busy complaining to the referee (27’). Augsburg were lucky to not fall behind in the 32^nd minute, when Yevhen Konoplayanka struck the inside of the post, before Franco di Santo redirected the ball into the arms of Marwin Hitz. The ball would end up in the Augsburg goal a mere two minutes later. Kehrer headed the ball towards the far post from a corner, which then deflected off Alfred Finnbogason and unfortunately for the Icelander, into the back of the net. 2-1 to Schalke. The game maintains a high tempo until the end Schalke came out of the break with a lot of energy and were clearly looking to open up a two-goal cushion. Marwin Hitz did well to deny Leon Goretzka on the break, however, and FCA regained their footing. Caiuby had a go from distance at the other end, but Fährmann had no problems dealing with it. Shortly before that, Marco Richter put the ball in the net, but he was adjudged to have been in an offside position after a VAR review. Manuel Baum brought Jan Moravek and Sergio Córdova on in the closing stages to provide some fresh legs, but neither could quite provide the push needed to get the equaliser. The score would finish 2-1 to leave FCA empty handed on matchday 33.