FCA dominate Frankfurt to win 3-0

On Sunday afternoon, FC Augsburg gained another crucial three points as Manuel Baum’s side ran away deserved 3-0 winners against Eintracht Frankfurt. Ja-Cheol Koo got things going in the first half, before Michael Gregoritsch and Marco Richter put the icing on the cake as the game wound down. Manuel Baum was forced into making four changes to the side that drew 1-1 to Cologne. Raphael Framberger, Kevin Danso, Jan Moravek and Marcel Heller took the places of Daniel Opare (not in the squad), Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (partially torn left MCL), Rani Khedira (suspension) and Alfred Finnbogason (calf injury) respectively. Despite fielding a new looking team, FCA started out much the better side. Augsburg fans could almost celebrate a goal in the sixth minute when Kevin Danso had an open header from a corner, but it cannoned off the ground and over the bar. The Bavarians continued to dominate the game and had further chances to get the opener through Moravek (9’) and Koo (10’). Frankfurt fail to clear - Koo makes no mistake While Eintracht came  close through Luka Jovic for the first time in the game in the 16th minute, Augsburg would finally get the well deserved opener down the other end. After a Philipp Max free kick which the visitors failed to deal with, Koo snapped the ball up and slotted home off the inside of the post to find the net (20’). Baum’s side were lucky for things to stay that way though, as a dangerous Jovic header deflected off the post a minute later. The game continued to be hotly contested, with Frankfurt faring better after falling behind. Augsburg still came across as the team in control, however, and were often a step quicker than their opponents. FCA continued to link up expertly and had the chance to double their lead with just over half an hour played. Caiuby missed a chance from a Philipp Max cross (32’), before Heller (40’) and Gregoritsch (45’) were both denied by the brilliant Hradecky. Things would remain close heading into the break. Gregoritsch doubles the lead - Richter gets first Bundesliga goal The second half began as the first one ended - with a wealth of chances for FCA. Koo narrowly missed the target in the 50th minute, before Heller was denied yet again by Hradecky a minute later. Augsburg then sat back a bit deeper, allowing Frankfurt to have more of the ball, but continued to defend outstandingly. Frankfurt chances were a rarity. Augsburg finally put things out of reach in the game’s closing stages. Caiuby headed the ball down to Gregoritsch in the area, who controlled with a bit of flair before beating Hradecky with a deft finish (76’). Frankfurt had the chance for a quick answer shortly after, but Marwin Hitz was having none of what Marius Wolf had to offer (80’). After Jovic could only hit the post in the 85th minute and Marco Richter added his first ever Bundesliga goal, the score would end 3-0. As a result, FCA have now gone five games undefeated at home and have moved up to seventh in the table.