Points shared as Union Berlin hold FCA to 1-1 draw

FC Augsburg drew 1-1 to Union Berlin in a match which saw each team have a man sent off. Han-Noah Massengo initially put FCA ahead, but the visitors drew level just three minutes later. Augsburg created further chances but were unable to find a winner.

Manuel Baum made two changes to his starting XI from the trip to Elversberg. Anton Kade returned to the line-up after fully recovering from a muscle tear, replacing Robin Fellhauer. Michael Gregoritsch also came in for Rodrigo Ribeiro.

FCA made a positive start going forwards. Fabian Rieder was denied by a crucial block after being played in by Gregoritsch, before his effort from Kade’s low cross lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper. However, the opening stages were scrappy, with possession changing hands frequently in midfield. Baum was also forced into an early substitution after just 12 minutes, as Calvin Brackelmann was unable to continue following a collision. Jeffrey Gouweleeuw came on in his place and, in making his 275th Bundesliga appearance for the FCA, moved ahead of Daniel Baier to become the club’s outright record appearance-maker in Germany’s top flight.

After Tim Skarke had fired wide for Union, the visitors were reduced to ten men. Gregoritsch pressed Felix Uduokhai well as he attempted to control the ball, and the striker drove towards goal. The former Augsburg defender brought him down as the last man and was unsurprisingly shown a straight red card (19’). FCA took control from that point onwards, increasingly pinning Union back in their own half. However, they struggled to make their pressure count against a compact defence. Rieder sent a free-kick narrowly wide, while Kade and Gregoritsch also failed to hit the target with their efforts. The sides went into the break goalless.

Bah also sees red

The pattern remained much the same after the restart, with Augsburg enjoying plenty of possession while Union gave little away. A good opportunity came when Marius Wolf delivered a cross to the far post. Arijon Ibrahimović got on the end of it and fired away without hesitation, but Frederik Rønnow was equal to the effort (56’). FCA were then reduced to ten men themselves. Juma Bah caught Schäfer with his studs during a midfield tussle and was shown a straight red card (63’).

Even with ten men apiece, Augsburg continued to dictate the play. Gregoritsch first headed Wolf’s delivery straight at the goalkeeper before the next attack finally brought the breakthrough. Rieder sent a dangerous cross in from the right, and Han-Noah Massengo rose highest to meet it with a header. The ball took a slight deflection on its way through, leaving Rønnow with no chance as it found the net to make it 1-0 (71’).

Union respond quickly

However, Augsburg’s lead lasted only three minutes. Aebischer played the ball into a dangerous area, where Janik Haberer battled his way through the crowd and bundled it over the line to level the scores at 1-1 (74’). FCA continued to threaten going forward and created more opportunities. Substitute Mert Kömür drove into the penalty area from the left but could only find the side netting from a tight angle. Shortly afterwards, Kade narrowly missed the target after turning to get the shot away (80’, 82’).

Union offered little at the other end during this spell, while Augsburg continued to push for a winner. Following a well-worked move, Fellhauer whipped a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, but Gregoritsch was challenged at the crucial moment and sent his effort over the bar (89’). Baum’s side were unable to find a decisive opening against a deep-lying Union defence in stoppage time, although Fellhauer had to make a vital intervention at the other end (90+4’). Despite their chances, Augsburg had to settle for a point.

FCA are back in action already on Tuesday, 27th October, at 18:00 CET, when they travel to face SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the second round of the DFB-Pokal.

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