Borussia rescue point in opening day goalfest

Borussia salvaged a 4-4 draw in the last minute in the opening game of the new Bundesliga season at FC Augsburg.

The 30,600 spectators in the sold-out WWK Arena saw a high-tempo and goal-laden first 45 minutes, in which the efficient Foals converted all three of their shots into goals. Ko Itakura gave us an early lead with a header in the 13th minute, before Tomáš Čvančara doubled the advantage with his first Bundesliga goal in the 27th. Augsburg subsequently came back into the game through Elvis Rexhbecaj in the 29th minute, but Borussia reacted strongly and quickly brought it back to 3-1 through Nathan Ngoumou in the 37th. Just before the break the match began to turn on its head. Next, Maximilian Bauer cut the advantage to 3-2 from close range, then Sven Michel equalised from the spot in the seventh minute of injury time.

In the second period, everything quietened down somewhat, although both sides kept managing to carve out decent opportunities. Ngoumou in the 48th minute and Neuhaus in the 67th both missed chances to restore Borussia’s lead. FCA eventually struck just 15 minutes from time. Ruben Vargas was given too much space on the right of the penalty area and made it 4-3 with a low shot in the 76th minute. In the final phases, the Foals threw everything at it, but couldn’t quite create any more clear-cut chances. But in the seventh minute of injury time, Borussia were able to celebrate. Yvandro Borges Sanches was fouled in the penalty area by Vargas, and Čvančara held his nerve and earned a 4-4 draw from 12 yards.

TEAM NEWS

Eight days on from the 7-0 DFB-Pokal victory over TuS Bersenbrück, Gerardo Seoane shuffled his pack in just one aspect. Florian Neuhaus replaced Marvin Friedrich in the team and played together with Julian Weigl in defensive midfield. Ko Itakura dropped into a back four alongside Max Wöber. The duo were flanked by Joe Scally and Luca Netz. Captain Jonas Omlin was in goal. In attack, Nathan Ngoumou, Alassane Plea and Franck Honorat started behind Tomáš Čvančara.

Seoane had an almost full quota of players to choose from. Christoph Kramer and Manu Koné (both knee) were the only ones to miss out through injury. Borussia have decided to make Nico Elvedi unavailable, in order to prevent the Swiss from picking up an injury which could hamper a possible transfer away from the club.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS

12’: A classy cross-field ball from Neuhaus finds Honorat on the right wing. The Frenchman delivers into the middle, but Čvančara can’t get to the ball as an Augsburg player sticks out a leg to clear it for a corner.

13’: The subsequent corner puts Borussia ahead! Honorat’s delivery finds Itakura, who heads into the net for 1-0.

27’: Čvančara makes it 2-0! Initially, the Czech loses the ball, but Neuhaus prevents an Augsburg counter with a strong tackle, Weigl plays brilliantly and Čvančara finishes powerfully.

29’: Augsburg get one back! Michel plays the ball infield from the right side to Rexhbecaj, who pulls the trigger and strikes perfectly into the corner.

37’: 3-1 to the Foals! Omlin kicks long and Ngoumou collects perfectly on the sprint and finishes coolly past Dahmen.

41’: FCA strike back quickly again! A corner is delivered to the far post, where Demirovic gets his head to the ball and puts it across goal. Bauer just has to stick out a foot from close range.

45+7’: The final act of an astonishing first half. After a coming together between Netz and Engels, a goal kick is initially given, but the referee sees a foul on a VAR review and awards a penalty. Michel takes the chance to equalise.

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS

48’: Augsburg misplace a pass and leave a huge amount of space for the Foals. Plea finds Ngoumou on the left, who checks back to beat an opponent, but his effort is blocked at the last second.

67’: Neuhaus lets fly from distance but Dahmen saves in the corner.

76’: Augsburg take the lead! After a series of headers, the ball comes to Vargas on the right of the penalty area, who has too much room and makes it 4-3.

90+7’: A late equaliser for Borussia! Borges Sanches is brought down by Vargas in the penalty area. Čvančara takes the penalty and finishes confidently for 4-4.

STATISTICS

Augsburg: Dahmen – Pedersen, Bauer, Uduokhai, Engels – Rexhbecaj, Dorsch (Breithaupt 90’) – Berisha (Beljo 58’), Vargas – Michel (Tietz 71’), Demirovic (Jensen 71’) // Unused substitutes: Koubek, Winther, Mbuku, Kömür, Colina

Borussia: Omlin – Scally, Itakura (Friedrich 75’), Wöber, Netz (Ranos 86’) – Weigl, Neuhaus (Reitz 89’) – Ngoumou (Borges Sanches 86’), Plea (Hack 75’), Honorat – Čvančara // Unused substitutes: Nicolas, Chiarodia, Herrmann, Jantschke

Goals: 0-1 Itakura (13’), 0-2 Čvančara (27’), 1-2 Rexhbecaj (29’), 1-3 Ngoumou (37’), 2-3 Bauer (41’), 3-3 Michel (45+7’), 4-3 Vargas (76’), 4-4 Čvančara (90+7’)

Yellow cards: Dorsch – Čvančara, Neuhaus

Attendance: 30,660 (sold out)

Referee: Daniel Schlager (Hügelsheims)