3-1 defeat in Frankfurt

Coming away empty handed this Friday evening

The Friday streak has been broken – despite leading at half time, FC Augsburg suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday 30 of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season.

In contrast to last week’s 2-0 home victory over 1. FC Union Berlin, FCA head coach Jess Thorup was able to call upon Kristjan Jakić and Kevin Mbabu, who had both been injured recently. After overcoming a foot injury, Niklas Dorsch was also ready to return to the squad.

The match was preceded by a moment’s silence in memory of Eintracht legend Bernd Hölzenbein, who passed away this week. It took both sides some time to get into their rhythm. Omar Marmoush’s deflected effort went just wide of the target (11’), but then FCA took the lead two minutes later. Mbabu strongly won back possession before Arne Engels played it through Ruben Vargas, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to give the visitors the lead (13’).

Initially, Frankfurt’s only attacking threat was coming from long shots. Junior Dina Ebimbe (15’) and Aurélio Buta (25’) were both denied by Augsburg keeper Finn Dahmen. Thorup’s side had a great chance to score a second on the half-hour mark – Engels sharply squared it across goal, and Phillip Tietz just couldn’t reach the ball as it rolled past the far post. Shortly before half time, the threatening Marmoush then came close with an effort looking for the top corner (44’).

Frankfurt turn it around after the break

FCA went into the changing rooms at half time with a narrow lead. Their opponents, who began the evening in sixth place, were naturally looking to improve and scored an equaliser in the 55th minute. Dina Ebimbe crossed it in for Farès Chaïbi, who turned the ball home to draw the hosts level, despite Dahmen almost getting enough behind the shot to keep it out. Eintracht completed their comeback six minutes later, with the goal coming from €15m January signing Hugo Ekitiké, whose driven shot from just inside the penalty box gave Frankfurt the lead (61’).

Augsburg gave it their all to try and get back into the match, subbing on Patric Pfeiffer in order to change the tactical setup. However, apart from an unsuccessful effort from Felix Uduokhai and Frankfurt almost scoring an own goal in injury time, FCA were unable to create any clear-cut chances to equalise. Instead, Frankfurt added a third with the last kick of the game. Dahmen went up for the corner, but the hosts countered and Marmoush rolled the ball into the empty net to put the game to bed.

FC Augsburg failed to win a Friday evening Bundesliga match for the first time in eight matches. Their next match is at home to SV Werder Bremen on Saturday (27th April, 15:30 CEST), where FCA will play in their special edition kit.