Closing out Bundesliga matchday 24, FC Augsburg served up a bit of a surprise as they fought out a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund. FCA were behind for long periods of the game against 2nd-placed BVB, but a substitute found the net late on to secure a point.

Markus Weinzierl returned to the dugout after missing the 2-1 defeat against SC Freiburg due to Covid-19, and made five changes to the team which started that game. Felix Uduokhai, Daniel Caligiuri, Mads Pedersen, Arne Maier and Ricardo Pepi all came in for Raphael Framberger, Iago, Carlos Gruezo and Florian Niederlechner, who started on the bench as well as André Hahn who was suspended.

FCA started the game bravely, pressing high and putting BVB under pressure early on. Michael Gregoritsch headed a corner just wide after 10 minutes, before Rafał Gikiewicz denied a low shot from Mahmoud Dahoud three minutes later at the other end. As the game went on, Dortmund started gaining control of the game, but did not find many gaps in the Augsburg defence to exploit.

FCA also proved good in opening up the space and energetic in their tackles, stifling BVB’s attack well, the only aspect of their game which was missing was the precision after winning the ball back. It took 35 minutes for Dortmund to break down their opponents, as Thorgan Hazard took the ball inside from the right, jinked past two defenders and fired into the far corner to make it 1-0. Apart from a long-range effort from Maier, FCA did not trouble the Dortmund goal much more before the break.

Gikiewicz saves – Sarenren Bazee comes on and scores

The first few minutes after the restart were somewhat dominated by BVB, who now started to shift through the gears. The first save our number 1 had to make was from a long-range Julian Brandt shot, before he then tipped a Donyell Malen shot onto the crossbar (47’, 51’). Not long after, Malen looked to be in again, but could only find the side netting (55’).

FCA managed to weather the storm, and then looked to get a goal themselves: a shot from substitute Noah Sarenren Bazee was blocked by Mats Hummels on 71 minutes. Shortly after though, the ball found its way into the Dortmund net for the equaliser! A mis-hit attempt from Maier turned into the perfect assist for Sarenren Bazee, who headed the ball in off the crossbar to level the scores with 12 minutes to go. A hectic closing stage saw both teams push hard for the win. As two late attempts from Youssoufa Moukoko flew over the bar (86’, 90+2’), the game finished all square.

FCA were able to earn a point to help them in the fight for survival, and next Friday there is another big game at the bottom as the Fuggerstädter travel to Arminia Bielefeld (20:30 CET).

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