FCA suffer 3-1 defeat in Freiburg
Augsburg still yet to pick up a point on the road
FC Augsburg are still waiting for their first points away from home this season. On Saturday afternoon, Jess Thorup’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat to SC Freiburg.
There were two changes to the starting eleven after the international break, when ten players were away with their national sides. Chrislain Matsima made his first start for the club and came in for former Freiburg defender Keven Schlotterbeck, who was unavailable due to suspension. Samuel Essende also returned after serving his suspension. There were three academy products in the squad in Henri Koudossou, Mert Kömür and Noahkai Banks.
“We need to start performing just as well away as we do at home,” was FCA’s mantra ahead of their third match on the road. The Fuggerstädter, who were in their white home shirts, started the game well. Phillip Tietz had the first effort of the game when he fired wide in the 11th minute. Freiburg were mainly limited to shots from distance, including from captain Christian Günter (16’) and Maximilian Eggestein (28’), the latter of which was saved brilliantly by FCA goalkeeper Nediljko Labrović.
Augsburg were hit with a tough blow in the 34th minute. Vincenzo Grifo picked up the ball, played a one-two with Junior Adamu and let fly from around 17 yards out. His strike with the inside of the foot nestled in the corner to put his side ahead. Just three minutes later, SC added a second. Philipp Lienhart rose highest to meet a Grifo corner at the near post and head past Labrović. Just before half time, Christian Günter made it 3-0 with a spectacular effort from distance (45’).
Tietz reduces the deficit
Thorup made two substitutions at half time as Koudossou and Alexis Claude-Maurice came on, as did Arne Maier ten minutes later. In the 57th minute, Tietz tried his luck again but again fired wide. In the 65th minute though, FCA finally had their first away goal of the league season. Claude-Maurice played the ball into Tietz in the penalty area, and the latter took his time before striking into the bottom right-hand corner from around 12 yards out.
Augsburg had another chance just five minutes later. Dimitris Giannoulis tested Noah Atubolu from a tight angle, but the SCF goalkeeper threw himself at the shot to make a superb save. FCA did not create any more real chances against a Freiburg side who defended well, and the visitors were unable to prevent a third successive away defeat.
Die Bildergalerie zum Spiel!
The Fuggerstädter, who have now dropped to 15th in the table, will next take on Borussia Dortmund at the WWK ARENA on Saturday, 26th October (15:30 CEST).
