FCA unrewarded after defensive heroics in Mönchengladbach (0-2)

FC Augsburg have fallen to a second defeat in 2019, losing 2-0 away at Borussia Mönchengladbach. FCA defended heroically in the first half and Gregor Kobel saved a penalty to keep the score goalless at the break. The visitors went in search of the opening goal in the second half, but two late Gladbach goals ended any hopes of victory. Manuel Baum made two changes to the FCA side that lost 2-1 at home to Fortuna Düsseldorf last weekend. Raphael Framberger suffered a cruciate ligament injury in that match and has been ruled out of the season. Kostas Stafylidis came into the starting lineup as Jonathan Schmid moved to right back. Rani Khedira returned to the starting lineup after serving a suspension for the Düsseldorf match. He replaced Michael Gregoritsch, who dropped to the bench. The Foals, who had won all eight of their home matches so far this season, started the match on the front foot. FCA goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was forced into action in the opening minutes to deny Lars Stindl (2’) and Ibrahima Traoré (6’). The visitors were pushed backed into their own half and tried to control proceedings in the middle of the pitch. However, FCA were unable to create any early chances and were instead forced to withstand Gladbach pressure. Traoré misses multiple chances – Kobel saves Hofmann penalty Augsburg were thankful for goalkeeper Kobel, who had managed to keep the scores level in the opening twenty minutes. Traoré went close again in the 19th minute but Kobel rushed off his line to deny the Guinea winger. Gladbach remained the dominant side and continued to attack. However, FCA stood firm and managed to keep the scroes level. Kevin Danso made a goal line clearance in the 31st minute to deny Traoré before Michael Lang blazed the ball over the bar. The tempo of the match slowed down in the build up to half-time. However, the match exploded back into life in the 41st minute as referee Harm Osmers awarded the Foals a penalty. Jan Moravek brought Florian Neuhaus in the box and a penalty was the correct decision. Jonas Hofmann stepped up to take the penalty but was denied by a super save by Kobel. The loanee from Hoffenheim dived to his right to keep the match goalless at the interval. FCA become more dangerous in attack – Wendt gives Gladbach the breakthrough At the start of the second half, the match flowed in a similar pattern to the first period. Gladbach were still the dominated team while Augsburg defended deeply, seemingly parking the bus in search of a clean sheet. FCA did then start to attack and created a couple of half chances to open the scoring. Jonathan Schmid was especially dangerous down the right flank and his cross nearly picked out Alfred Finnbogason in the six yard box (55’). The visitors did not enjoy as much possession as the Foals but managed to create some good openings. Kobel was the quieter goalkeeper in the opening 25 minutes of the second half as Gladbach were unable to find the breakthrough. In the closing stages, Gladbach were in the ascendancy once more and Stindl went close with a header in the 72nd minute.  A few minutes later, the Foals found the breakthrough their dominance ultimately deserved. After Kobel was able to punch a cross clear, Oscar Wendt stepped up to drill the ball into the corner of the net (78’). Despite the deficit, Augsburg continued to attack in search of an equaliser and their best chance fell to André Hahn in the 87th minute. The former Borussia player broke clear of the Gladbach defence but he was unable to fire home. At the other end, Gladbach made sure of all three points in stoppage time as substitute Patrick Hermann fired home a spectacular strike (90+3’). FC Augsburg fall to a late defeat in Mönchengladbach and travel back to Bavaria empty handed. FCA return to action next Sunday, 3rd February as they welcome 1. FSV Mainz 05 to the WWK ARENA (15:30 CET).