FCA lose 2-0 in Freiburg

Augsburg come away empty handed

FC Augsburg’s wait for an away point this season goes on after they suffered a 2-0 defeat at SC Freiburg on matchday 6 of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season.

FCA head coach Enrico Maaßen made one change to the side that began the 2-1 victory against Mainz 05. Arne Engels, who missed out through suspension, was replaced by Tim Breithaupt, as the 21-year-old midfielder made his first Bundesliga start.

The away side made an unlucky start to the Sunday evening clash. After a challenge on Roland Sallai by Iago, referee Harm Osmers went to the screen for a second look and then pointed to the penalty spot. Vincenzo Grifo stepped up and slotted home to make it 1-0 to Freiburg (5’). FCA were once again chasing a lead away from home, which was also the case in their away matches in Munich and Leipzig, which they lost 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.

This time, Maaßen’s side showed a positive reaction, and Phillip Tietz had a great chance to equalise in the ninth minute. Following a Freiburg error, the attacker found himself one-on-one with Noah Atubolu, who made himself big and saved well. Die Fuggerstädter were launching themselves into every tackle, but chances remained rare, besides an Ermedin Demirović effort in first-half stoppage time (45’+3). Therefore, the hosts remained in front going into the break.

Freiburg double their lead, Michel goal chalked off

FCA remained unchanged after the break, but continued to not cause their opponents any real problems. Whilst they hoped for an equaliser, Freiburg made it 2-0 in the 56th minute through a powerful Philipp Lienhart header which gave Augsburg keeper Finn Dahmen no chance (56’). A double change came next for the visitors to try and turn the game around, but they continued to struggle to find a way through in the final third.

FCA could then count themselves unfortunate in the closing phase. Captain Demirović toe-poked it wide from close range (67’), and then Sven Michel’s goal to halve the deficit was disallowed, because the attacker was a whisker offside when Demirović played the ball to him (81′). Six minutes of second-half injury time didn’t do anything to help FCA find a goal, and so the game ended 2-0 to SCF.

Photos from the away match in Freiburg

Augsburg now find themselves in 14th place with five points, with their next game at home to newly promoted side SV Darmstadt 98 at the WWK ARENA on Saturday, 7th October (15:30 CEST).