FC Augsburg were able to build some confidence through a clear 4-1 friendly win against Karlsruher SC. FCA were particularly ruthless before the break. One player got a brace. 

Augsburg were without seven players on international duty as well as a handful of injured players. David Deger was one of a few members of the U23s to make an appearance. It was also an opportunity for those who haven’t played much to get some match practice. Captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw was rested, so Rani Khedira led the side. 

It was a lively start. Both sides sought to take the attack to the opposition and disrupt their build-up play. FCA, playing entirely in red, had the first good chance in the fourth minute. Felix Götze played in Florian Niederlechner down the left, who took a shot that sailed over Markus Kuster’s goal. At the other end, KSC had their first corner which was cleared by Niederlechner, but it fell to Philip Heise. He took on the volley which went inches wide of Rafał Gikiewicz’s goal. 

Karlsruhe continued to press high and exerted lots of pressure on Augsburg. André Hahn cut inside and drilled a low effort towards goal in the 15th minute, and Augsburg were only saved by the post. FCA also continued to attack, primarily down the wings. Karlsruher’s efforts became more restricted to long-range shots which didn’t pose any real danger.

Caligiuri and Niederlechner make it 3-0

Then came FCA’s next good chance. Tobias Strobl won the ball in midfielder and passed to Marco Richter. He had space, didn’t waste any time and fired the ball home from the edge of the box – 1-0. Soon after, an unpleasant back pass made life hard for the Karlsruher keeper, Daniel Caligiuri was able to take advantage and headed the ball into an empty net – 2-0 (24’).

Augsburg didn’t let up. Florian Niederlechner danced through the Karlsruher defence, evaded goalkeeper Kuster and managed to squeeze a shot in from a tight angle to make it 3-0. It was almost game over after just half an hour. FCA began to give KSC more space and time on the ball, but the defence was solid and Karlsruher were denied any real opportunities. Augsburg were down to ten for a period before the break as Reece Oxford picked up a knock and required treatment. 

Goller gets one back - Leneis saves a penalty

Rafal Gikiewicz made way between the posts for academy graduate Benjamin Leneis for the second half of the game as FCA continued where they’d left off. The 57th minute saw Richter attempt an effort following good work on the flank by Götze, but his shot was off target. Augsburg continued to tirelessly attack the Karlsruher box and it wasn’t long before Niederlechner played Hahn through on goal who was one-on-one with Kusterer. However, his attempt to chip the goalkeeper was thwarted by a good reflex stop (61’). This was shortly followed by Hahn missing another good opportunity not long after (65’).

After this, the visitors made some changes to their side and saw a definite improvement, looking much sharper in the final third. This upturn in performance was rewarded in the 71st minute when Benjamin Goller headed in an Alexander Groiß cross from close range to make it 3-1. Encouraged by this, KSC again pressed forward after that into the Augsburg box and were able to win a penalty as Khedira committed a foul. Babacar Gueye stepped up for the guests, but saw his penalty saved by substitute keeper Leneis (75’).

Caligiuri hits the bar - Richter seals the win

After riding out this period of away momentum, it was once again the turn of the hosts to attack. Niederlechner did well to shrug off an opponent but saw his effort clear the crossbar, before FCA were finally able to put the game to bed as Caligiuri’s shot cannoned off the bar straight to the feet of Marco Richter who tucked away the loose ball (84’). Despite the game being this though, Leneis was still forced into making another few stops as KSC attempted to get another at the death through Kyoung-Rok Choi.

The 4-1 friendly win comes ahead of a trip to Borussia Mönchengladbach after the international break, which will kick off at 15:30 on Saturday, 21st November.

FCA: Gikiewicz (46‘ Leneis), Deger, Oxford, Suchý, Götze, Strobl, Khedira, Hahn, Richter, Caligiuri, Niederlechner

Goals: 1-0 Richter (19‘), 2-0 Caligiuri (24‘), 3-0 Niederlechner (26‘), 3-1 Goller (71‘), 4-1 Richter (84‘)

Other highlights: Penalty from Gueye saved by Leneis (75’)

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