Disappointing 3-0 defeat in Nürnberg

FC Augsburg have lost their first game after the international break. Having not lost their last three games, FCA slipped to a 3-0 defeat away at 1. FC Nürnberg. Jeffrey Gouweleew, who made his return as a substitute at the end of the 3-1 win over Hannover before the international break, started the game in Nürnberg. Michael Gregoritsch also returned to the starting XI. Kevin Danso replaced Jonathan Schmid (foot injury) at right-back, while Marco Richter took a place on the bench. Gregoritsch had the first opportunity less than two minutes into the game – his free-kick flew just over the bar. Nürnberg had more of the ball early on and look dangerous from a number of set-pieces. Ewerton (12’) and Lukas Mühl (13’) couldn’t test out Gregor Kobel, but Sebastian Kerk did (15’), although Kobel matched his effort comfortably. FCA improved as the first half went on and Daniel Baier saw his shot just miss the top of the FCN goal (17’). Nürnberg keeper Christian Mathenia easily held Philipp Max’s long-distance effort after 29 minutes. The first half saw a lot of the game being played in the centre of the park, with a lot of tackles going in from both sides. Ultimately, there was no threat coming by either team and the first 45 ended goalless. Ishak puts FCN ahead – Pereira and Löwen finish the job Manuel Baum brought on Marco Richter at the start of the second half for Alfred Finnbogason. Nürnberg, however, were the team that started the second period the way they wanted to. Mikael Ishak headed home a free-kick to give them the lead (52’). FCA regrouped and fought hard to push Nürnberg back and find an equaliser. Mathenia was there to deny Baier (61’) and then it looked like Gregoritsch had scored in the 67th minute; however the Austrian’s goal was rightly chalked off due to offside. Augsburg failed to find space in behind and made too many mistakes in the final third. Baier had another long-distance shot (76’) fly over the bar and then Robert Bauer’s goal for Nürnberg was disallowed, again due to offside (78’). Nürnberg then sealed the win on the break thanks to Matheus Pereira (87’), before Eduard Löwen compounded Augsburg’s misery in added time with a third. The next game will come against RB Leipzig in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday, 2nd April (20:45 CEST) at home. FCA then host TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on the subsequent Sunday.