Werkself review#FCAB04: Better stats but no points

SUMMARY: CORNER LEADS TO VICTORY

The team under head coach Xabi Alonso had the upper hand in the opening stages of a physical encounter as they set a high tempo in the opening minutes – above all through Moussa Diaby. The Frenchman hit the woodwork on 29 minutes, his fellow countrymen and teammate Amine Adli had another good chance a minute later. However, the visitors from Leverkusen lacked accuracy in the final pass. The two sides went in goalless at half-time. The hosts increasingly came into the game in the second 45 and a corner from the right taken by Augsburg's Arne Engels found the unmarked Mergim Berisha and he scored with a header to make it 1-0 on 55 minutes. The Black and Reds endeavoured to get back into the match after conceding but lacked penetration in attack. The match ended in a 1-0 win for Augsburg. HERE is the match report.

REACTION: "PRODUCE A RESPONSE IN HOFFENHEIM"

Robert Andrich was self-deprecating after the match speaking to Werkself TV: "Particularly in the second half, we lacked direction and conceded an avoidable goal. We didn't win the challenges at the crucial moments. They secured the win with their energy and being in front of their fans." The Werkself number eight is demanding more organisation and clinical finishing in the forthcoming matches.

Captain Lukas Hradecky adopted a similar position: “We have to be more focused, more on the ball and have the desire to really want to win every game. We have to get it into our heads that nothing happens by itself." The keeper added: "I know we can do it. That's why we want and have to produce a response at Hoffenheim.”

PERSONNEL: DIABY AND ADLI MILESTONES

Two Werkself players celebrated special milestones in the game against FCA: Moussa Diaby made appearance number 150 for the Black and Reds and it was the fiftieth match in a Werkself shirt for Amine Adli - keep it up! In addition, the two winter signing Patrick Pentz and Noah Mbamba were in the matchday squad for the first time. A very warm welcome, lads!

STATS: WERKSELF WITH BETTER NUMBERS

Just in front: With 13 shots on goal, the Werkself had more efforts than the hosts (Augsburg: 10), and the same goes for possession with a rate of 60%. In addition, the visitors won 51% of all challenges and impressed with a pass completion rate of 83% while FCA had 74%.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY: "COMMITTED PERFORMANCE FROM DIABY"

The Rheinische Post headline reads: "Leverkusen ran out of ideas in Augsburg" and the match action is described as follows: "Harmless up front, absent-minded at the back." The Kölnische Rundschau described the result as an "unpleasant setback" and added: "Leverkusen never really get into the game and lose 1-0 against a battling Augsburg side." The Leverkusener Anzeiger sums up the defeat as “Toothless in Augsburg“ but does find words of praise for the once again impressive Moussa Diaby: "A committed performance from the Frenchman. The biggest threat to Augsburg came from him. Unlucky with the shot against the post on the half-hour mark."

OUTLOOK: ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The Werkself are back in Leverkusen and they have an open training session at the BayArena on Saturday afternoon. Following a week of training, next weekend brings another away game for the Black and Reds. Lukas Hradecky and Co. travel to Sinsheim to play TSG Hoffenheim. The kick-off at the PreZero Arena is at 15.30 CET on Saturday 11 February. There will not be much time to rest after that: Five days later, on Thursday 16 February (kick-off: 21.00 CET), AS Monaco visit the BayArena in the Europa League.