Heavy defeat in Heidenheim
4-0 loss on matchday 2
FC Augsburg fell to a 4-0 defeat at 1. FC Heidenheim on matchday 2 in the Bundesliga. Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, FCA struggled to gain a foothold into the match and were punished by a clinical Heidenheim side.
Head coach Jess Thorup made just one change to his starting line-up, with Fredrik Jensen coming in for Arne Engels, who moved to Celtic on the final day of the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Kristijan Jakić has returned to full fitness and was named to the bench.
FCA looked to challenge the hosts right from the start, with Arne Maier recording the first chance on goal in just the second minute of play. His free-kick caught goalkeeper Müller by surprise, as it crashed off the crossbar. Shortly after, FCH were able to get off a shot following a corner, but it went wide of the mark. VAR then intervened after spotting a potential handball from Keven Schlotterbeck in the build-up. After reviewing the footage, referee Martin Petersen pointed to the spot. Heidenheim attacker Paul Wanner stepped up and converted his penalty to put his side into the lead (9′).
Thorup’s side had to work hard to recover from the early setback, with both Maier (16′) and Schlotterbeck (27′) recording chances on goal. Instead, it would be Heidenheim who would add to their lead, as Scienza got on the end of a cross at the far post and tapped in to make it 2-0 (30′).
Two goals conceded in the second half
Thorup made two changes at the break, bringing in Marius Wolf and Ruben Vargas. The hosts continued to dominate the game, as shown in the fact that Vargas was the one needed to sprint back towards his own goal and put in a well-timed tackle to deny Heidenheim on the counter (56′). FCA’s best opportunity in the second half came from Schlotterbeck, as he was able to get a head to a corner in the 67th minute. Heidenheim added a third goal in the 70th minute, as Wanner played the ball to Adrian Beck. His shot first hit the right post, before bouncing into the back of the net. A few minutes later, substitutes Sirlord Conteh and Maximilian Breunig once again broke through the FCA backline, with Breunig netting his side’s fourth and final goal of the afternoon (73′).
FCA return home empty-handed, as they enter into the first international break of the season. They will be back in action on 5th December in a charity match in Dinkelscherben.
