FCA held to a 1-1 draw by Köln

Points shared on Easter Sunday

FC Augsburg hosted 1. FC Köln at a sold-out WWK ARENA on Sunday afternoon. Despite dominating the second half, FCA couldn’t earn more than a point against the Billy Goats.

Jess Thorup was forced into some changes from the 3-1 win in Wolfsburg. Top goalscorer Ermedin Demirović was suspended, meaning Elvis Rexhbecaj came into the XI and took the captain’s armband from him too. Robert Gumny suffered a torn ACL in training during the week and is now set for several months on the sidelines.

Sunday afternoon’s game was hard fought right from the beginning. The first shot came from former Köln man Rexhbecaj, pulling a shot just wide from the edge of the box (5’). A throw-in from Kevin Mbabu set up the opening goal, involving some smart interplay from Phillip Tietz and Ruben Vargas, before Arne Maier stroked the ball home on his left foot from just inside the box (17’). It was the midfielder’s second goal of the season.

Augsburg’s high defensive line and pressing was punished in the 32nd minute by the visitors. Sargis Adamyan raced in behind and squared it for Davie Selke, who made no mistake from around seven yards out. At the other end, Kristijan Jakić was FCA’s most threatening player in the remainder of the first half, seeing his header (35’) and long-distance effort (45’+2) both saved by Köln keeper Marvin Schwäbe.

Beljo comes close with a back-heel

FCA came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, with Mads Pedersen replacing Iago at left-back. His teammate on the opposite flank, Kevin Mbabu, drove into the box at pace in the 51st minute, but his cross into the danger zone was cleared by a Köln defender. Substitute Dion Beljo had the biggest chance for a second goal. Mbabu played it to Fredrik Jensen on the right and his cross found the big centre forward in the six-yard box. He looked to have scored with a clever back-heel, however Jan Thielmann was on the line to clear the ball at the very last second (70’).

While Köln rarely threatened Finn Dahmen’s goal, the Fuggerstädter continued to press forward in search of a winner. Beljo’s header (79’) and Vargas’ attempt from a tight angle (87’) failed to beat Schwäbe and the away side held on for a point, despite 24 shots and 12 corners (6 for Köln) for Augsburg. The point has at least taken FCA above SC Freiburg in the table, up to seventh place.

FCA travel to play TSG Hoffenheim next Sunday on 7th April at 15:30 CEST.