Werkself lose 2-1 to Augsburg despite a host of chances

Head coach Kasper Hjulmand made three changes to his starting line-up compared to last week’s 1-0 away win at Borussia Dortmund: Jarell Quansah replaced Robert Andrich in the back three after a four-week injury lay-off, Lucas Vázquez made his comeback on the right flank in place of Montrell Culbreath and Patrik Schick replaced Christian Kofane up front. Ibrahim Maza started in Dortmund and he had the first chance for the Werkself after just two minutes against FCA.

Schick scores with header – level at half-time

With a great deal of composure and control, the Black and Reds pushed the visitors deep into their own half early on. The impressive centre-backs repeatedly initiated new attacks - one of which led to the opener after twelve minutes: Edmond Tapsoba found Patrik Schick, who put the Black and Reds ahead with a header. But FC Augsburg were quick to respond when Fabian Rieder's deflected shot found the back of the Werkself net just four minutes later. Bayer 04 continued to dominate the game, and had several chances to regain the lead through Nathan Tella (18’, 24’) Alejandro Grimaldo (36’) and Schick (45+2’). However, despite having almost 73 per cent possession at one point, they were unable to score before the break - the scoreline remained 1-1 at half-time.

late goal conceded despite dominating game

The second half began as the first ended with the Werkself in control and a high entertainment value for neutral spectators. During one of the few Augsburg counter-attacks, Mark Flekken was able to intervene (51'), and his opposite number Finn Dahmen also thwarted two great chances from Tella (56') and Maza (59'). Bayer 04 continued to press and tried from all angles, but the second goal proved elusive with attempts from Grimaldo (68’), Maza (70’) and substitute Christian Kofane (76') failing to break the deadlock. Referee Benjamin Brand ruled out a penalty for the Black and Reds after a VAR review (85').

In eight minutes of stoppage time, Flekken first made an impressive save to deny Augsburg's Mert Kömür (90+2’), and in the visitors' second counter-attack, substitute Montrell Culbreath brought down FCA player Uchenna Ogundu in his own penalty area. Rieder converted the penalty for the final scoreline of 2-1 to FCA (90+7’)

next up: big games in Pokal and league

In the last double-fixture week of the season, Bayer 04 host Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal semi-final at the BayArena on Wednesday, 22 April (kick-off: 20:45 CEST). The Werkself are then away in the derby at FC Köln on Saturday, 25 April. The kick-off at the RheinEnergieSTADION is at 15:30 CEST.

Match stats:

Bayer 04: Flekken - Quansah (Kofane 72’), Badé, Tapsoba - Vázquez (Culbreath 65’), Palacios (Tillman 81’), Garcia, Grimaldo - Maza, Tella (Hofmann 81’) - Schick

FC Augsburg: Dahmen - Chaves, Gouweleeuw, Zesiger - Fellhauer (Wolf 81’), Massengo, Rieder, Giannoulis - Kade (Kömür 81’), Claude-Maurice (Rexhbecaj) - Ribeiro (Ogundu 74’)

Goals: 1-0 Schick (12'), 1-1 Rieder (16'), 1-2 Rieder (90+7’ pen.)

Yellow cards: Quansah, Garcia - Rieder

Referee: Benjamin Brand (Schwebheim)

Attendance: 29,289 (home section sold out) at the BayArena