FCA fall to 3-0 defeat in Stuttgart
No points in the final game of the year
FC Augsburg suffered a 3-0 defeat at VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday evening, in what was their final match of 2023.
FCA head coach Jess Thorup sent out an unchanged team following last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund, as the Függestädter travelled to face this season’s undisputed surprise package.
After a cagey start, it was VfB who quickly found their rhythm. Serhou Guirassy forced Finn Dahmen into an early save (8′), before the woodwork came to the rescue for FCA (13′). Five minutes later, Denis Undav put the hosts ahead following a corner (18′). Stuttgart continued to press hard, with Augsburg’s backline forced to remain on high alert. Dahmen came up big with a strong save from a Leweling shot (34′).
Thorup’s side had to wait until the 45th minute for their first shot of the night, as Arne Engels sent an effort into Alexander Nübel’s arms. At the other end, Guirassy’s shot sailed just wide of the target (45′). The striker then netted his 16th goal of the season just seconds later, as he converted shortly before the break after going one-on-one with Dahmen (45’+1).
FCA improve after the break
FCA came out of the break looking much stronger, as captain Ermedin Demirović attempted a shot from 23 metres out. Nübel was forced to push the ball over the bar to deny the striker (48′). The minutes that followed saw most of the action concentrated in midfield, with several breaks in play. Stuttgart would put the game to bed in the 69th minute, as Chris Führich made it 3-0 with a one-time effort. The highlight of the closing minutes for the visitors was Arne Maier’s substitution, as the midfielder made his comeback from an ankle injury.
Augsburg will head into the winter break sitting in 11th place with 18 points. The team will be back on the pitch for the first time in the new year with a friendly at home against TSG Hoffenheim on 6th January. Their first competitive game of 2024 will be on Saturday, 13th January (15:30 CET), as they host league leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the WWK ARENA.
Die Bilder zum Spiel!
