1-1 draw in Wolfsburg – FCA pick up first point on their travels
Tietz with Augsburg’s goal
FC Augsburg drew 1-1 away at VfL Wolfsburg on matchday 9, the club’s first point on the road in the ongoing Bundesliga season. The 25,000 fans at the Volkswagen Arena witnessed a game with few chances. Tietz’s goal had FCA ahead for almost 50 minutes, but Thorup’s team had to settle for a point in the end.
After Finn Dahmen made his return in goal during the 3-0 win over FC Schalke 04 in the DFB-Pokal in midweek, Nediljko Labrović was back in between the sticks for this league clash. There were no changes to the 10 outfield players in the starting XI.
After an even and uneventful first quarter of an hour, Tiago Tomàs had the first shot of the game, firing a low shot straight at Labrović from the edge of the box (17’). While the hosts had slightly more of the ball early on, FCA were solid in defence. Alexis Claude-Maurice, with a strike from range, had Augsburg’s first attempt with 25 minutes played. Six minutes later, Fischer’s shot was saved by Labrović and Giannoulis was able to block Baku’s follow-up (31’).
A fine pass in behind the Wolfsburg defence by Keven Schlotterbeck in the 35th minute found Phillip Tietz, who took the ball round VfL keeper Grabara and then slotted home from a tight angle to make it 1-0 to FCA. After the 27-year-old’s third goal of the season, the Wolves upped the ante before the break, though Thorup’s team ensured they went into the interval with the advantage.
Wolfsburg push hard for an equaliser
The second half was similar to the first: VfL searched for an equaliser and struggled to create clear-cut chances. Labrović was quick off his line to get in the way of Tomàs’ shot after an hour, before Claude-Maurice and goalscorer Tietz went off in the 66th minute. The attackers were replaced by Samuel Essende and Yusuf Kabadayi, who were each involved right away. Kabadayi almost got his head on a Giannoulis cross, requiring Maehle to clear the danger (69’), then Essende hit the side-netting a minute later with a back-heel from a Jakić delivery. Shots from Maehle (72’) and Arnold (75’) failed to test Labrović.
The Croatian was however finally beaten in the final knockings of the game. VfL forward Amoura struck into the top-right corner after getting on the end of a ball towards the penalty spot (82’). The final few minutes were hard-fought, but the game finished 1-1. Despite failing to hold on to their lead, FCA were able to pick up their first point away from home this season.
Next Sunday, FCA host TSG Hoffenheim in their next Bundesliga fixture. The match at the WWK ARENA will kick off at 15:30 CET.
Starting XI: Labrović (GK), Matsima, Gouweleeuw, Rexhbecaj (77′ Maier), Wolf (77′ Koudossou), Giannoulis, Jakić, Onyeka, Claude-Maurice (66′ Kabadayi), Tietz (66′ Essende), Schlotterbeck
Bench: Dahmen, Kabadayi, Essende, Maier, Mounié, Breithaupt, Bauer, Kömür, Koudossou
Goals: Tietz (34′), Amoura (82′)
