FCA narrowly lose 1-0 to Stuttgart

Guirassy’s goal the difference on Friday evening

FC Augsburg didn’t pick up any points in the final home game of the 2023/24 season on Friday evening. FCA held up well against VfB Stuttgart for long period at a sold-out WWK ARENA, but eventually fell to a 1-0 defeat.

FCA’s head coach made three changes to the starting eleven for this game against Stuttgart, who have already qualified for next season’s Champions League. Kristijan Jakić returned in defensive midfielder following suspension and Niklas Dorsch also came in. The same went for Iago who had recovered from injury and was able to start in his final home game for FCA.

Stuttgart took control of this all-Swabian clash right from the off and looked to find the back of the net. Apart from a shot from Jamie Leweling in the first minute, they found limited clear-cut chances in front of goal.

The first murmur of excitement from the Augsburg fans came as Niklas Dorsch looked to set Phillip Tietz away, but his pass from deep was just overhit (11’). FCA were fortunate shortly afterwards with Chris Führich getting in behind but dragging his effort just wide of the right post at full stretch (12’).

Goalless first half

Stuttgart remained just on top in a competitive period following this, with neither side creating any gilt-edged chances. FCA’s next chance came in the shape of a set piece. Ruben Vargas took a freekick from the edge of the box, but only succeeded in finding the Stuttgart wall (24’). Moments later, Tomáš Koubek in Augsburg’s goal was tested for the first time, with the Czechia international turning a Deniz Undav shot round the post (30’). Thorup was then forced into an early change, as Arne Maier came on for the injured Vargas. Koubek showed his class once again moments later, this time against Leweling (36’). Both teams had a couple of chances in front of their opponent’s goals before half time but both were lacking the finishing touches, meaning the game headed into half time goalless.

The second half began as poorly as possible from an Augsburg perspective. Less than four minutes after the restart, Enzo Millot floated a long ball over the Augsburg defence, finding Stuttgart top goalscorer Serhou Guirassy, who cooly slotted home to give the visitors the lead (48’). Stuttgart remained on top after this, with FCA largely preoccupied with defending and struggling to relief the pressure with attacks of their own. A double change in the closing stages, with Arne Engels and Sven Michel coming on for Niklas Dorsch and Tim Breithaupt added new impetus, and Michel had his first shot in the 78th minute, albeit his effort was off target.

Koubek prevented the visitors from extending their lead with top saves against Silas (87’) and Wooyeong Jeong (90’) in the final few minutes. FCA captain Ermedin Demirović could have found the equaliser at the other end, but he was offside from Arne Engels’ pass (88’). The score remained 1-0 even after four minutes of additional time and a final attacking push from the home side.

FCA travel to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten and have already won the Bundesliga, for their final game of the season this coming weekend (Saturday, 18th May, 15.30 CEST).