FCA extend winning run with 1-0 triumph against Heidenheim

Gouweleeuw nets the winning goal

FC Augsburg extended their winning run to three consecutive matches after coming out on top against 1. FC Heidenheim in front of a sold-out WWK Arena on matchday 25.

The head coach had the same squad on offer to face Heidenheim as in the 6-0 goalfest against Darmstadt last weekend. The hosts were without Mads Pedersen (suspended) and Patric Pfeiffer (thigh issue), as well as former FCH man Niklas Dorsch (foot).

FCA needed just nine seconds to record their first chance of the afternoon, as Kevin Mbabu was able to get off a shot from inside the Heidenheim area. Finn Dahmen was then called up on parry a shot from Jan-Niklas Beste (10′), before the hosts would go on to take the lead. Arne Maier swung in a corner to the far post, where Jeffrey Gouweleeuw was there to meet it, netting his first goal of the season (23′).

Augsburg had managed to score three set-piece goals in this season’s reverse fixture against Heidenheim, celebrating a 5-2 win in Thorup’s maiden game at the club. Dead balls are normally one of FCH’s strong suits as well, and travelled to Augsburg sitting in 11th place. The hosts were able to keep them quiet in the opening half, however, and took a 1-0 lead with them into the break.

Iago denied by the woodwork

Both sides picked up exactly where they left off at the start of the second half. Heidenheim sought to have more of an impact on proceedings, but struggled to create opportunities. A huge chance to extend FCA’s lead fell to Iago in the 67th minute, but FCH keeper Kevin Müller was able to tip the Brazilian’s shot onto the bar. Aside from Florian Pick and Eren Dinkçi’s efforts late on (81’, 82’), FCA’s defence kept things tight and helped the side to secure their third win in a row.

Augsburg’s fifth home victory of the season sees them move up to eighth place in the table for now, though Bremen and Freiburg can go above them with wins of their own later this weekend. FCA will be back on the road next weekend when they take on VfL Wolfsburg.