FC Augsburg have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season, beating 1. FSV Mainz 05 at home on Wednesday evening (2-1). Despite an equaliser from the guests, FCA were able to respond immediately to pick up an important three points. 

Head coach Markus Weinzierl made one change to the starting line-up following Sunday’s 3-0 home win against VfL Wolfsburg. André Hahn replaced Ricardo Pepi in the XI, with the American dropping to the bench.

FCA started well, with Florian Niederlechner recording the first chance of the game just minutes after kick-off, but his header missed the target. The hosts pressed high, looking to force Mainz into errors, and saw their efforts rewarded. Niederlechner went down in the box after challenging Robin Zentner for the ball, with referee Matthias Jöllenbeck pointing to the spot immediately. Jeffery Gouweleeuw stepped up and sent Zentner the wrong way to put FCA ahead early on (11’).

Burkardt hits the side-netting – Hahn’s goal ruled out

In the minutes that followed, Augsburg’s intensity dropped off slightly, allowing Mainz to find their way back into the match. Despite a solid defensive performance, a momentary lapse in concentration allowed Jonathan Burkardt to break through on a one-on-one with Rafał Gikiewicz, as he rounded the keeper and sent a shot into the side-netting (26’). 

The chance served as a wake-up call for Weinzierl’s side, and it didn’t take long for the ball to land in the back of the net again. Hahn slotted home a corner from Arne Maier, before VAR cancelled out the goal due to a handball in the build-up (34’). Daniel Caligiuri (42’) and Maier (45’) both had shots deflected away from goal as FCA headed into the break with a narrow lead.

Widmer equalises – Vargas scores from off the bench

Mainz came out of the break with plenty of speed, as Burkardt once again broke through, forcing Gikiewicz to come out and intercept the ball (49‘). Minutes later, the keeper could only look on as Silvan Widmer scored the equaliser for the visitors (54’). FCA didn’t need long to respond, with substitute Ruben Vargas turning in a corner from Caligiuri to restore the lead (56’). 

Instead of sitting back and defending, FCA continued to look to attack. Vargas had a shot saved by Zentner (64’), while Burkardt wasn’t able to get past Gikiewicz on the other end (69’). The guests pushed hard in the closing minutes, but weren’t able to break past Gikiewicz. Anton Stach’s header was parried by the keeper (79’), before Marcus Ingvartsen flashed a shot just wide of the post in the final moments of injury time (90’+5).
 
FCA held on to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Next up, Augsburg will make the short trip to Munich to face FC Bayern München on Saturday, 9th April (15:30 CEST). 

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