Werkself review #B04FCA: Conversion of chances decisive

summARY: HARD WORK, LITTLE RETURN

The visitors played a high press and were very focused in defence with the team under head coach Gerardo Seoane primarily dominant in terms of possession. However, it was FCA who took the lead on 15 minutes with a goal from Fredrik Jensen. The Werkself came back into the game and levelled through Charles Aránguiz just before half-time (43'). Moussa Diaby, Sardar Azmoun and Jeremie Frimpong again and again had chances in front of goal as they pressed for the equaliser. In the end, the hosts conceded another goal scored by substitute André Hahn (81') with the final score of 2-1 to FCA reflecting an efficient performance by the team from Augsburg. HERE is the match report.

reaction: "we're in the same boat"

Gerardo Seoane focused on two points arising from the defeat: "We lacked fluidity in our game and the opponents were obviously also involved with that as they regularly succeeded in breaking our rhythm." In addition, the Swiss coach saw the conversion of chances as decisive in the outcome of the match: "We lacked calm and being clinical in front of goal," Captain Jonathan Tah adopted a similar view: "We managed to get into the box but we were not clinical enough" and he added: "We are also letting in goals too easily and we expect more of ourselves." The Werkself number four finished by saying thank you for the support of the fans and he made a clear statement: "Of course, we are all disappointed. But we're all in the same boat and we'll do better next week."

Personnel: Adli injured again

Seoane opted to play Andrey Lunev in goal after the one-match ban for Lukas Hradecky . Initial good news: Amine Adli was back in the squad for the first time in four months following his thigh injury in the away game at VfL Wolfsburg on 20 March. He came on for Adam Hlozek on 62 minutes but had to go off injured shortly after that. The 22-year-old landed on his shoulder in a challenge and was then taken to hospital. The diagnosis remains to be confirmed.

Stats: More possession, more shots on goaL

The match stats are also clear: The Werkself had 67% possession and a pass completion rate of 81% with FCA having 57% in the latter category. Leverkusen also had their noses just in front in challenges won with 51% (Augsburg: 49%). The efficiency the team under head coach Enrico Maaßen was reflected in shots on goal: While FCA needed a total of six shots for their two goals, the Black and Reds had 24 shots on goal.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: MediA ARE UNANIMOUS

The Ruhr Nachrichten described the Augsburg victory as a "surprising coup." And the BILD Zeitung saw the Werkself as the better but less efficient side particularly in the second half: "The team under coach Seoane was clearly the better team after the break but they missed a host of chances." In individual assessments, the Rheinische Post awarded top marks to keep Andrey Lunev: "Stood no chance with a goal scored by Fredrik Jensen. Showed his quality in turning the shot from Ermedin Demirovic away for a corner (30')" and Charles Aránguiz: "made one or two mistakes in build-up play initially but scored the important goal for the Werkself at 1-1 just before the break with a nutmeg."

OUTLOOK: Hoffenheim next up

The Werkself are home again at the BayArena on matchday three. TSG Hoffenheim visit Leverkusen on Saturday 15 August. The kick off is at the traditional time of 15.30 CEST. The team from the Kraichgau beat VfL Bochum 3-2 on matchday two. The Seoane team then play FSV Mainz 05 away on 27 August. The kick-off is again at 15.30 CEST.