FC Augsburg picked up three big points in a 1-0 home win against 1. FC Union Berlin, with Dion Beljo getting the only goal of the game.

Head coach Enrico Maaßen made one change to the starting line-up following last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt. Maximilian Bauer came into the XI as FCA lined up with a back-three, with Mergim Berisha starting on the bench on his return from injury.

FCA got off to a promising start under the spring sunshine at the WWK-Arena, enjoying more of the ball than the visitors from Köpenick. Dion Beljo nearly got on the end of a long ball over the FCU defence (2’), while Ermedin Demirović’s shot took a deflection and was saved by goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow (8’). The opening moments were marked by several hard tackles, with referee Florian Badstübner showing early yellows to both Arne Engels (11’) and Jeffrey Gouweleeuw (19’).

Union were then able to create a few chances of their own, as Tomáš Koubek was called upon to parry a header from Kevin Behrens (22’). The FCA goalkeeper then denied Sheraldo Becker in the 27th minute, although the striker looked marginally offside. As half-time approached, Maaßen’s side had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Rønnow came out to deny Engels, but was unable to secure the ball and it fell to Beljo, whose shot only hit the side-netting (43’).

Die gesamte Partie gegen den 1. FC Union Berlin gibt es im Relive im FCA TV zu sehen

Vargas delivers, Beljo scores

Maaßen sent out an unchanged XI for the second half, with his counterpart Urs Fischer doing the same. FCA eventually saw their efforts rewarded in the 53rd minute. Ruben Vargas delivered a cross that found Beljo, who powered home a one-time shot to put the hosts ahead. All three of the winter signing’s goals this season have come at home, with his latest also rewarded with loud cheers from the FCA faithful.

Chances for Vargas (58’) and Demirović (59’, 64’, 71’) came to nothing, while Union continued to try to play long balls over the defence and into the box. Koubek was on hand to pluck most of them out of the air. FCA were able to get the result over the line with a hard-fought performance, as they picked up three important points in the fight for Bundesliga survival!

FCA remain in 13th place with the win and have extended their lead over the relegation zone to six points. The team can now look forward to a trip to face VfL Bochum next Saturday (13th May, 15:30 CEST).

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